Latest reports are that three Belizean security guards and their American
boss are tonight still in the custody of the Mexican military. As we’ve
reported, Belizeans Curlin Thompson, Martin Miller, and David Gomez along with
the Vice President of Las Vegas Casino George Hardie Jr. were detained by the
Mexican military over the weekend after they attempted to enter Mexican territory
with 9 milimeter guns. They were allegedly in pursuit of Mexicans Edwin Navarro
Meneses and his nephew Felipe Rosado Navarro. The Navarros had reportedly left
the casino, which is on the Belize side of the border after a confrontation
with staff.
Mexican media reports are, and now eyewitnesses tell us, that Hardie
and his elite security guards, known as the Cobras, jumped into his Lincoln
Navigator and sped after the Mexicans into Belize territory and that’s
what landed them in jail. Keith Swift was at the border today looking for answers.
Keith Swift Reporting,
These photos on the front page of today’s Diario de Quintana Roo show
Sunday morning’s dramatic arrest and detention of 3 Belizean security
guards. The photos are from Sunday morning when Martin Miller, Curlin Thompson,
and David Gomez – were handcuffed and sat in the pan of a Mexican military
vehicle along with their boss - John Hardie Jr., Vice-President of the Las Vegas
Casino.
This is where it all started, the Las Vegas Casino. The story of what exactly
transpired varies but we do know this: two Mexican nationals were involved in
an altercation with three Belizean security guards along with George Hardie Jr.
He is the son of the casino’s owner. One witness told us off camera that at 3 am the Mexicans were attempting to leave the casino and that’s when
trouble started.
Witness #1,
“Security people stopped them and told them they had to continue gambling
in the casino and they refused to continue because it was three o’clock
and they wanted to go home so they forced their way out and they just ran and
then three security plus the boss man followed them with guns and tried to shoot
on them.”
Another witness – who also spoke to us off camera – says that she
was pulling into the drive away at about the same time that gunshots rang out.
Witness #2,
“The Mexicans vehicle just flew quickly and then Mr. Hardie, the son,
he was driving his vehicle and then the other guys, I think it is like a Cobra
Unit, told him that they can see if they can try to catch these guys. They seemed
kind of like in an hurry because both of them had fired gunshots, it was like
20 gunshots at that time. It was outside though.”
Keith Swift,
Both the Mexicans and Belizeans fired shots?
Witness #2,
“Both of them. Of course we were scared because my mistake one of
the gunshots could have hit my vehicle and I could have been one of the persons
injured.”
Keith Swift,
And you said you heard 20 shots?
Witness #2,
“Probably it was like 20. It was a lot of gunshots and people were
kind of scared because I was like kinda freeze because I didn’t know what
was really happening.”
No one at Las Vegas would talk to us but Corozal Mayor Hilberto Campos and Minister of Local Government Gabriel Martinez did. Both are friends to the now
jailed casino owner and this afternoon they travelled to Quintana Roo to visit
him.
Hilberto Campos, Corozal Mayor
“We are travelling over to visit them. We are already working with
Mr. Jorge Valencia whose supposed to be the Mexican consulate but we’re
trying to see in what way we will be able to assist them and again this is personal.
He is my personal friend, I sympathize with him and the other three Belizeans
that are locked up there. I am sure that after today I will be able to update
myself about the present situation, if they have been charged or what is happening
there.”
Keith Swift,
Do you know if they’ve been to court?
Hilberto Campos,
“I think they’ve been to court, I am not sure but I am going
over there right now. I’ll be leaving with the Minister of Local Government,
the Hon. Gabriel and myself are going over there to visit them personally.”
Hon. Gabriel Martinez, Friend of George Hardie
“We will be travelling both just to pay him a visit and to understand
basically what the situation is there. You know all the military and whatsoever
the Mexican authorities have to do was basically beyond our control.”
Keith Swift,
In your opinion did these guys make a mistake?
Hon. Gabriel Martinez,
“I am not so very much aware of all what took place that morning but
perhaps if we are given an opportunity to talk to them we might be able to say
some more some other time.”
There is little they can do because men allegedly violated Mexican federal
law and have been charged for attempted murder – but more importantly
the federal charge for smuggling arms into Mexico. The penalty for that is 30
years in jail.
Up to just before news time we were unable to reach Minister Gabriel
Martinez or Mayor Hilberto Campos to find out the outcome of their visit. Again
that was a personal trip and not official. Media reports are that they have
already been charged with attempted murder, grievous harm, and attempting to
smuggle arms into Mexico. The attempted murder is for shooting Navarro who was
injured in the chest. A security manager at the casino today deferred comment
but was optimistic and promised that the casino will issue a statement after
the release of the men. |