Attorney Says Mexican Nationals aren’t Members of Drug Cartel

Bryan Neal

Late this evening, News Five spoke with attorney Bryan Neal who is representing the Mexican nationals.  According to Neal, the men were released from police custody earlier.

On the phone: Bryan Neal, Attorney-at-law

“Well I can say happily and I can report that they have been released from police custody.  It seems that there was a huge misunderstanding where these gentlemen are concerned.  In fact, one of the gentlemen, Javier Martinez, actually had a work permit, is that he had all right to be in Belize as a worker.  The other six were admitted through the border with their lawful passports stamped and allowed to enter into Belize.  They were in Belize for one hour and they were picked up by police.  So they committed no violation of the law and it seems that that was brought to light and cooler heads have prevailed.  The six other gentlemen will be taken back to the border and denied entry, which is the right of the immigration director.”

Isani Cayetano

“Are your clients seeking any form of redress for the entire scandal that has been made either in Belize or in the Mexican press?”

Bryan Neal

“I can say that the employer in Belize is very concerned because this man came to Belize as a civil engineer, went through the formal process and I can say that he is aggrieved by his treatment.  Luckily, the matter didn’t go too far.  He wasn’t remanded at prison and so as far as we are concerned right now, I have no instructions to proceed further with any claim against the government or the police department.” 

Isani Cayetano

“Were these individuals in good health or what was their state when you last saw them?”

Bryan Neal

“They were in good health, they complained about some roughing up, but I won’t go further than that.  No injuries were observed, they just seemed tired and ready to go home, as far as I am concerned.  The gentleman, Mr. Javier Martinez, he has been granted permission to remain in Belize and he will attend the Immigration Department tomorrow to formalize his status in Belize.  I am just glad that the authorities: the Director of Immigration and the Commissioner of Police were able to look at the situation in a more sensible way and cooler heads have prevailed and these men have gone home because we in Belize, also we go to Chetumal, and Mexico and Merida, and we wouldn’t want to be treated the way these men have been treated.  So I am glad that it worked out this way and I hope that all that previous press that they got about being members of the Mexican drug cartel is now put to rest.”