Suspect SUVs returned to customs

The cars are at customs. That’s the story from Gian Ghandi, legal advisor to the Customs Department. According to Ghandi, the two luxury SUVs at the heart of a stolen car investigation have both been handed in to Belize authorities. The trucks in question, a 2003 Cadillac Escalade and a 2003 Hummer, are now parked at the main customs compound in Belize City. News 5 understands that the Escalade, previously in the possession of businessman Luke Espat, was taken in on Saturday morning, while the H2 owned by Jose Shoman arrived around noon today. So what happens now? Well according to Ghandi, the government will officially inform the U.S. Embassy that the two vehicles, and three others, all 2003 models, have been impounded. The U.S. officials have sixty days in which to make their claims and present the documents, such as insurance forms from the owners in the United States, to prove the trucks are stolen. The Belizean authorities will then initiate a verification process of that information, which should wrap up within a month. If the vehicles are indeed hot, they will be returned to the United States post haste. If not, they’ll be returned to the importers. In all, five vehicles have been impounded: a Chevy Silverado, two Cadillac Escalades and two Hummers. News 5 has been made to understand that if the vehicles turn out to be stolen, the Government of Belize would return any duties paid by their owners. News 5 was unable to reach Jose Shoman or Luke Espat for comment.