Another couple, this time Chinese nationals, failed to declare thousands of dollars

Fenglan Wu

We reported on Monday that two missionaries were fined for failing to declare close to fifty thousand dollars. Tonight, another couple has been charged for the same offence and they are Chinese nationals. While their visas do not seem to have come under question, it was the money in their pockets that attracted the FIU’s interest. Thirty-five year old Fenglan Wu and thirty-eight year old Chenbo Xu were arraigned before Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith for failing to declare twenty thousand Belize dollars to the Financial Intelligence Unit.  The couple was picked up from the P.G.I.A. by police after they were each found with over ten thousand Belize dollars.  Attorney Ellis Arnold represented the couple and before the charge was even read to them, he made a submission to have the charge withdrawn, arguing that they were well within their rights not to fill out the form because they claimed ten thousand dollars each.

Chenbo Xu

In response to this argument, the F.I.U. argued that although the act reads that each person can have that amount, the interpretation of the act governing the charge allows them to charge the couple jointly. The Chief Magistrate agreed with the F.I.U.’s argument and ruled that the two could be charged jointly.  Wu, a housewife in China, pleaded not guilty to the charge, while her husband, Xu, a real estate agent, pleaded guilty to the charge. Arnold then asked the court to expedite the proceedings because his clients are tourists in our country and they wished to return to their home at the earliest possible time. His request was granted and the matter will go to trial this Friday. The couple also has to reside at the home of Kim Chee, also known as Brads.