Alleged Sicarios in Belize for Road Construction Project?
They were detained by the Mobile Interdiction Team in Corozal earlier this week, but tonight, it may seem that the alleged sicarios from neighbouring Mexico were actually legally in Belize to be hired for a road construction project in northern Belize. The men, who carried valid Mexican travel documents, were detained inside the Central Park in Corozal Town. They were reportedly using a pickup truck with Belizean license plates to move around. Tonight, News Five is in possession of a letter of approval from the Ministry of Rural Transformation for an application for a temporary employment permit for one of the detained men. That man is being recognized as a Mexican civil engineering labourer and gives him temporary employment for a period of one year. The letter, which is dated August eighth and signed by Labour Commissioner Rissela Dominguez-Patt, goes on to say that the individual is required to report to the nearest Social Security and Income Tax offices to make arrangements required under the Belize Social Security Board Act and the Income Tax Act. The Belize Police Department has an open investigation underway, for which nothing untoward has been uncovered so far. Minister of Home Affairs Kareem Musa told the media today that it may be an immigration matter.
Kareem Musa
Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs
“These individuals were detained and upon their detention, word quickly spread across the border and that is when some social media news outlets released some allegations that these individuals were perhaps sicarios or cartel members. We have been doing our local investigation and international investigation, liaising with our counterparts in Mexico very closely and getting information from them and what I can say is that so far, nothing has come back to indicate that they are in fact cartel members. And so what may be transpiring and the commissioner of police alluded to it in his interview is that perhaps these men came into the country looking for work and there may be others actually engaged illegally working on jobsites. And so that is kinda where the investigation is currently going, but of course it is still open. We are still waiting for further information from Interpol in relation to these individuals, but it is now in the hands of immigration.”
Duane Moody
“So it was more an immigration issue than a criminal?”
Kareem Musa
“Like I said, it is still open. So I don’t want to conclusively rule out anything. Like I said, we are engaging hour by hour with our Mexican counterparts and Interpol. And so, as of right now, three p.m., we haven’t received any information to that effect.”
Duane Moody
“Any idea as to when these men will be released?”
Kareem Musa
“I would think in the next day or two. Again, depending on what immigration comes across. I cannot say conclusively what immigration has or has not found out as yet.”
Duane Moody
“It hasn’t been indicated whether they entered the country legally?”
Kareem Musa
“As far as I am aware, they did enter legally.”
Reporter
“So there is nothing yet in relation as to whether the passports may be false?”
Kareem Musa
“We have received information; I believe from the Mexican embassy that they are validly issued passports.”
