And today, the representative of the Belize Butane Importers Association Neri Briceno requested an interview to make it plain that the three companies he represents, Belize Gas, western Gas and Zeta Gas are in no way involved in any scam or in setting up the story.
For context, you may recall that yesterday, BWEL's executives made wild, conspiratorial claims that 7News had somehow been co-opted by the Importers Association to make up a story about them.
It's a theory so preposterous we don't think even they really believe it - particularly when a recent member of that association, Gas Tomza was singled out in our story for the biggest violation - shorting our tank by thirty pounds, a value of about 38 dollars.
So, BWEL's theory falls by its own logic, but Briceno wanted to defend his own group by saying - what we already knew every well - that they had nothing to do with our story:….
Neri Briceno, Belize Butane Importers Association
"Unless we made some secret pact in our dreams but there is absolutely no kind of collusion. There is no conspiracy to defame any company, there is no kind of under handed-ness, you did an investigation totally on your own and we became cognizant if it when you aired it on the air so we were no part of it whatsoever."
Jules Vasquez
"One of the companies you represent was "pile up in that boil-up" that Mr. Arnold exposed."
Neri Briceno, Belize Butane Importers Association
"Well Jules I don't know who were Mr. Arnold's suppliers so I can't comment on that part of it. What I could say is, and based on what my clients have told me is that they welcome any test so anybody can go out there and do the same test that you did or if you want to go and do the same test that you did - you are welcome to go and do it. And they will prove that they are providing the product that they say they are providing and that they are providing in the quantities that they claim they are providing."
Jules Vasquez
"Mr. Neri, I don't want to argue with you and I don't want to disrespect you. One of your clients fill up Mr. Arnold's tank with 1,025 gallons of butane in a 1,000 pound tank and his meter showed 900 gallons, 90%. He started from zero; he had scraped out the tank. That is a matter of fact."
Neri Briceno, Belize Butane Importers Association
"Jules We would have to see the documentation on that for me to comment on it."
Jules Vasquez
"I can show you the receipt now."
Neri Briceno, Belize Butane Importers Association
"You show me the documentation then I will comment on it and the process that was done. I can't comment on something that I was not physically there and I was not a part of it."
Jules Vasquez
"I will show you a receipt where is says one of your client, one of the people you represent had 832 as the amount of fuel received and his gauge says 760 gallons - his (Arnold's) calculation. A great and tremendous disparity. Mr. Neri, I am giving you a chance. Do you want to change your story?"
Neri Briceno, Belize Butane Importers Association
"No, don't change it. Jules as I said, provide the documentation, let us take a look at it, the client will willingly tell me what the situation was and we can explain it. I am sure there is an explanation to it if indeed it was one of the people that I represent."
Jules Vasquez
"But there is no explanation because Mr. Arnold said it himself; he has dealt with all the companies. All of you are doing it. He said all. All is all."
Neri Briceno, Belize Butane Importers Association
"I sincerely don't believe that every single LPG company....."
Jules Vasquez
"You don't believe that because they are paying you."
Neri Briceno, Belize Butane Importers Association
"No man, this have nothing to do with pay. Jules I have 13 years in this petroleum industry. I think I have a basic understanding at least more than the average person would regarding petroleum matters. And I cannot say that every single LPG Company in this country has been shafting the Belizean public. It's just not possible."
Jules Vasquez
"How is it not? Why would it be not possible? They are doing it, Mr. Arnold has 20 years of buying butane, he has bought from all the companies and he says that all - the word A-L-L. There is no negotiating "all." All. Including one of your clients who sell him butane right now."
Neri Briceno, Belize Butane Importers Association
"Jules we would have to go back probably to what the other company is claiming that there is some mass conspiracy between everybody as they are claiming between me and you that's the only way I'll explain that one."
After the interview, we showed him the documentation, he seemed to be genuinely taken aback and said he had to make a few calls to the people he represents.
Again, as per our arrangement with Lascelle Arnold the business-owner who provided that receipt to us, we cannot show the name of that company. He still buys butane from them, but on his terms - which means the gallon reading on the gas company's meter is completely disregarded and their receipts ignored - with the gas company's full consent.
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