On Tuesday of this week, Belize saw its very first conviction in the fight against Human Trafficking when 54 year-old Narciza Orellana, a naturalized Belizean who is a resident of Santa Elena Town, was sentenced by Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith to 18 months in prison, after she was found guilty of "attempted trafficking in persons".
The case was prosecuted by the director of public prosecutions, Cheryl Taitt-Vidal. The incident occurred on the 26th of April 2010 at Bradleys Bank in the New Area of Santa Elena Town where Orellana attempted to recruit a female for the purpose of utilizing her as a commercial sex worker.
The victim told police that she was looking for work at a supermarket where she met Orellana who then offered her a job at her home as a helper. She took the job and reported to Orellana's house - where a bar was inside the yard.
And, instead of house work, the female was put to work in the bar as a waitress. The incident occurred after a client came to the bar requesting to have sex with the young girl and when she refused, Orellana began forcing her.
The young woman told police that Orellana told her and we quote "while you are young and pretty you should take on the opportunity of prostituting yourself". She refused the offer and left the following day - where she later reported the incident to police.
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