Marconi Leal and the Customs Vehicle Appraisal Form

Marconi Leal

Did Belize Rural North Area Representative Marconi Leal Senior compromise his reputation when his name was attached to a customs vehicle appraisal form, for an SUV that is the subject of a theft investigation?  Leal has told another media house that he was simply putting in a word for a friend to receive a discount on duty for the late model Volkswagen Atlas. The vehicle in question, however, was legitimately purchased by businessman and tour operator Yohny Rosado.  Here’s how P.M. Briceño responded to the question.

Prime Minister John Briceño

Prime Minister John Briceño

“I think as representatives we get all sorts of requests and by him asking for consideration, he does not have the authority, he does not have the authority to instruct the customs department to do any such thing.  For him to ask to do some kind of assistance, that’s what representatives do every single day.  Now it was left for the Customs Department to decide whether they wanted to do that or not.”