Two immigration officers charged
Two immigration officers detained since earlier this week in Benque Viejo have been formally charged in connection with what is believed to be an operation to smuggle Central Americans into the United States. Thirty-eight year old Elias Martinez and twenty-four year old Addli Martinez, who are not related, appeared in Magistrate’s Court this morning. Elias was charged with destruction of documents, attempted theft, and falsification of documents, while Addli was charged with two counts each of extortion and theft. Each defendant met bail of five thousand dollars plus one surety of the same amount and the pair were further ordered to surrender their travel documents and report to the San Ignacio Magistrate Court every Monday until they reappear in court on March eleventh. According to Director of Immigration, Colonel Peter Parchue, the investigation now in progress may uncover a wider conspiracy.
Col. Peter Parchue, Director, Immigration Department
“The whole situation with the investigation which ended up with these two officers being arrested and charged, originated with the detention of several foreign nationals, primarily from the Central American region: El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Honduras. Originally, it was thought that these persons were being trafficked into Belize. However, through detailed interviews additional information came up that allowed the police to realise that it was not a trafficking in persons situation, but it was an organised movement of individuals, allowing safe passage through transit points en route to their destination up north.”
Janelle Chanona
“Do you think the ring as far as Belizean involvement ended at Benque or are you still investigating this matter on your end?”
Col. Peter Parchue
“This investigation continues because it might be beyond the Belizean borders, which we believe. However, it won’t be finally determined until the end of the investigation.”
“Of course there is a lot going on in the Immigration Department, a lot to ensure that the confidence of the public is restored to what it was prior to thirty-first July. And also, a lot of effort is being made to rise above that standard, to reassure the Belizean public and all the other foreign nationals that visit us as tourists that the Immigration Department is making every effort to upgrade the level of service.”
According to Parchue, investigations continue into the procedures and personnel at the western border post of the Immigration Department.
