Public Officers Charged with “Abetment to Exiting Belize Illegally”
The number of COVID-19 cases sets a new record; we will have that coming up including the death of the first female due to the virus; we’ll talk to her grieving family. First we go to a late evening story. An immigration officer and a customs officer were today arraigned in the Belmopan Magistrate Court for illegally leaving the country. Twenty-three-year-old customs officer Deon Castillo and Robert Flowers were charged with “abetment to exiting Belize illegally”. They are accused of purposely facilitating the clearing the tug boat, “AJ Ellis,” for departure at the time when it was prohibited to do so. When that tug boat returned to Belize from Roatan, Honduras five sailors tested positive for COVID-19 and had left quarantine. The public officers were granted bail of one thousand dollars and a surety of the same amount. They were represented by Attorney Hurl Hamilton who was retained minutes before the arraignment.
Hurl Hamilton, Attorney-at-law
“Two individuals have been charged, Bobby Flowers and Dion Castillo. One is an immigration officer and one is a customs officer. I believe that they are stationed in Mango Creek, Big Creek. Both of them were charged with abetment to exiting Belize illegally.”
Reporter
“What are the charges are in relations to?”
Hurl Hamilton
Hurl Hamilton
“As I said I was just retained but I would want to assume that it has to do with that tug boat issue that I believe that all Belizeans are aware of that are on Facebook. It has something to do with that.”
Reporter
“Based on your legal expertise what do you make of these charges? I know that both men pleaded not guilty.”
Hurl Hamilton
“Yes they have pleaded not guilty. I will have to wait and see what is the evidence that the police has. Abetment, exiting Belize illegally. I haven’t had time to consult with my client s fully so I will have to wait and see what the police have and then I can perhaps be in a better position to comment. Bail was granted to each individual in the sum of one thousand dollars plus one surety. They are to return back to court on twenty fourth of September. I believe that would be the court in Mango Creek, Independence Village.”
