Belizeans busted with illegal weapons in México may face additional charges

Errol Haynes & Anthony Barrow

As we reported in Thursday’s newscast, Errol Haynes and Anthony Barrow, both Belizeans on the run from the law, were nabbed by authorities in northern Mexico for possession of an arsenal of assault weapons.  The duo, along with Mexican national Juan Miguel Alvarez, was busted inside an apartment in Calle, a city in the state of Nayarit.  Inside the building the Mexican army discovered three AR-fifteen rifles, two AK-47s, twelve cartridges and three hundred and eighty rounds.  Among other items yielded during the raid were passports and other household items belonging to both men.  News Five spoke with Sergeant Fitzroy Yearwood of the Police Department who told us that despite not receiving full details from their Mexican counterparts it is believed that the men will face additional charges across the border.

Sgt. Fitzroy Yearwood, Police Press Officer

“As far as I know Anthony Barrow was wanted in Belize on firearms and ammunition charges.  As far as I know Errol Haynes Jr. was already charged.  He was in front of the court and he was granted bail so we cannot say that Errol Haynes was a fugitive.  He was not wanted by us [but] now he will be because he will fail to appear in front of the court.  But [uhm] these men as we learned from our Mexican counterparts they were caught with a, I must say, high-powered rifles, ammunition and magazines and a pickup truck that is not registered, or legally registered in Mexico.  That is as far as it goes.  I can tell you that we will leave our warrant open and out there for Anthony Barrow.  He wanted since September 9^th, 2010 along with Gasman Young.  They were both charged, they were jointly charged for firearm and ammunition [possession].  For some mysterious reason they escaped from police custody here in Belize.”

Isani Cayetano

“What are the Mexican authorities telling you guys in so far as the bust of these two young men?”

Fitzroy Yearwood

Fitzroy Yearwood

“Well we haven’t received full details.  As far as we [know] we just received [information] where they were found with the firearms.  We understand that they were with a Mexican national and charges have been filed against them.  This took place on the twentieth of February in Mexico.”

Isani Cayetano

“Finally, Sergeant Yearwood is there any indication that these men will first serve time in Mexico before being extradited back to Belize or is this matter going to be settled here on Belizean soil?”

Fitzroy Yearwood

“Well as far as we know the Mexican authorities have their own set of charges that will be filed in their courts against these men.  When they are finished with that, when they come back, if they come back to Belize anytime soon they will face their charges here in Belize.”

Haynes, along with Arthur Young who was recently captured in Mexico, was charged with possession of a prohibited sound suppressor after a raid on a property in Ladyville netted equipment used in the manufacture of the weapon accessory.  Errol Haynes and Anthony Barrow are currently incarcerated in a Mexican prison known as Centro de Readaptacion Social ‘Venustiano Caranza’.