Ministry of Agriculture Addresses Alleged Contraband Sugar

Jose Abelardo Mai

We also spoke with Minister of Agriculture Jose Abelardo Mai who told reporters that for the consignment of sugar to be cleared for export, an export license would have to have been approved by the Supplies Control Board.

Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture

“The farmers have been calling me and telling me that there is a truck that was intercepted with sugar.  For a fact, I know the sugar in there is in bags that are ASR.  ASR, I believe, has their wholesalers who they sell sugar to and who in turn wholesale.  For a time now, we’ve been hearing that sugar was scarce and that it was going over to Guatemala.  [Sometime] before, a truck was caught in Guatemala with Belize sugar.  So apparently, apparently, from the reports, it seems that this sugar was destined for Guatemala also, but the police are doing that investigation.  However, I must caution that at this time, if the sugar is to be exported, it needs an export license from Supplies Control.  I was briefed this morning by my Director of Supplies Control, but that is when they are in the process of exporting through the border.  But right now, I think the police are only investigating, but they will have to prove that the sugar is to be exported or was to be exported.  But again, at this time, I don’t think that there is anything, in my view.  But is good to know and to see who is at least fingered in the business of smuggling sugar across the border.”