Couple Charged for Facilitating Brazilian Nationals

While the Immigration Department was successful in applying for the removal of the Brazilian nationals; tonight, their Belizean handlers are facing criminal charges for facilitating their illegal entry into the country.  Thirty-three-year-old Kirk Hower, a taxi driver of San Martin area, Belmopan, and his common-law wife Gracielita Mendez were charged separately for the offense of aiding and facilitating the commission of the immigration offense.  It is believed that Hower drove the vehicle in which the group of Brazilians was busted.  In court, Hower and Mendez were represented by attorney John Nembhard who submitted that they are law-abiding citizens who erred in judgment.  They were each fined one thousand dollars and are to return to court on August thirty-first.  A third suspect is being sought in connection with this incident.  It is believed that that individual has absconded.