Policeman arrested for extortion

A Dangriga policeman who wanted to make fast and easy money has found himself in a heap of trouble. According to the police, on New Year’s Eve, an American resident of Dangriga Town reported to them that while his car was parked on Commerce Street, he was given a traffic violation ticket. The following day, the man said he was approached by a police officer who reportedly said he would be willing to cancel the ticket if he was given some money. Then on Saturday, January second the policeman, later identified as twenty-five year old Cuthbert Martinez once again approached the man on Plum Street. It is there the man told police he handed over fifty Belize dollars in cash. Today, police report that Martinez, has been interdicted from duty, and was charged with extortion. He is out on bail. The fifty dollar bill was recovered by Martinez’s fellow officers.