Guatemalan Labourer is Busted with Prohibited Gun/Ammo, Gas Discharge Weapon

A Guatemalan labourer is in big trouble with the law tonight for a slew of firearm offenses. Police say that on Sunday in Santa Cruz Village, Stann Creek District, Geovanni Castro was discovered with three firearms, one of which is a high-powered rifle with a scope that is prohibited in Belize; he was also found with unlicensed ammunition, prohibited ammo and a gas grenade. Castro has since been charged for the firearm offenses as well as for breaching of the curfew. Assistant Commissioner of Police Joseph Myvett says that Castro was found in violation of the curfew at a residence in the village. The cache of weapons, however, was discovered at his house when police took him there and conducted a search.

Joseph Myvett

ACP Joseph Myvett, Head, National Crimes Investigation Branch

“Police in Santa Cruz Village—members of the Special Patrol Unit along with the police officer stationed in Santa Cruz Village—conducted a search on a home and at that time, one Geovanni Castro was present at the home and could not give a satisfactory answer as to why he was at that specific home. As a result, he was taken into police custody and taken to his home where a search was conducted. That search resulted in the discovery of a nine millimetre pistol which had in its magazine one nine millimetre round of ammunition. Also found was one thirty-eight revolver; one five point five-six high powered rifle with scope; one hundred and one five point five-six rounds of ammunition along with two magazines; one one-fifty-eight A smoke grenade. As a result, police have since arrested and charged Geovanni Castro, twenty-six years Guatemalan labourer of Santa Cruz Village for the offenses relating to firearms and ammunition found.”