For the past week - we've been getting reports about seven containers that raised red flags at the customs department.
The containers came from China, and the importer says they contain fertilizer. But customs suspects otherwise; they feel it could be a major shipment of what are classed as precursor chemicals. Those are chemicals like pseudoephedrine that are used in the production of meta-amphetamines. That's an illegal, highly addictive drug popular in the United States called "Meth".
The precursors for "Meth" are often imported through gateways in Belize, Guatemala or Mexico so they can be smuggled into the United States.
Belize Customs has gone through its problems with pseudo-ephedrine containers since that was outlawed in 2008 - and now determined drug manufacturers they are finding other chemicals that will work as precursors.
And that long background explanation brings us to today at customs. Police, Customs Enforcement and DEA officials were on hand as six forty foot containers were emptied, inspected and samples were taken by the police forensic department. That's about three thousand sacks - so it took them all day and continues at this hour.
The importer is UDP friend and all around operator Vernon Cuthkelvin says the contents are TITANIUM DIOXIDE and AMMONIUM SULFATE - which he says are "basic fertilizer."
Cuthkelvin has a company called Belize Garden Consortium, which is handling the import. But it's raised red flags at customs because this company is not an authorized fertilizer dealer - and now it's bringing six containers full of the stuff from China.
According to veterans in the industry, six containers are an extraordinary amount of that product - and the largest fertilizer dealer in Belize would only bring in two at a time.
So there's definitely something going on.
Which is why today we snooped around customs as they were examining the contents and eventually we convinced the importer himself Vernon Cuthkelvin to defend the product he's imported. Here's what he told us:..
Vernon Cuthkelvin
"Pretty much at this point we are going through the process of testing again. We did some tests on Friday; I believe the tests were inconclusive. The request was some further testing. Of course at the end of the day, the charges from the delay I will have to absorb- not to my fault- but at the ending of the day the light of transparency and to ensure what we are doing is clean and above board, and it's a sad situation that in a little country like this we have to go through this sort of thing. But again, the reassurance that I have reassured everybody is that these products are legitimate products."
Jules Vasquez
"What are these products?"
Vernon Cuthkelvin
"Basically it's fertilizers. We know there is Prosser, Brodies and other larger corporations and they get their little 'carta blanca.' I guess a little red card would traditionally go up."
Jules Vasquez
"Now the question immediately arises; I know that you are a man of some experience. You are an operator in many different realms, but I don't know you as any importer of fertilizers."
Vernon Cuthkelvin
"My brother, in these times of hardship all over the world, you know the old saying. Some of us unfortunately cannot survive by one thing only, and so we have to span out and find other means and attract commerce."
Jules Vasquez
"In this case, do you know what you are venturing into? It could be that maybe somebody asks you to bring in something for them and they set you up. Are you sure you can vouch for what is in there?"
Vernon Cuthkelvin
"Jules, absolutely no such thing. I am saying that I am rest assured that what is here is nothing illegal. It is perfectly legal. The government collects its taxes as well. We have paid our duty and the people who have their questions rightfully can have their questions and we are all working together to resolve this thing as quickly as possible so that "sorry mi bally, it's not news worthy.""
Jules Vasquez
"You have 6 containers of these what you say are fertilizers."
Vernon Cuthkelvin
"It's not what I say. It is what it is."
Jules Vasquez
"Do you have a market for this?"
Vernon Cuthkelvin
"Jules, business is business. I am sure Mr. Musa from Brodies won't come down and say where he has his market. So we don't need to go there."
"The bottom line is this. This is legitimate business."
And while Cuthklevin's company is responsible for six containers, there's one more with 240 sacks and that is registered to a company called Belize Evergreen. Authorities believe that Cuthkelvin was also involved in setting up that company, but he denied that today.
According to our reports, traces of ephedrine have been found - but that is premature as forensic testing is still underway.
But, tonight, the pressure is mounting on Cuthkelvin - who had to be hospitalized last week after the containers were flagged. He confirmed to us that high blood pressure caused him to burst a vessel in his head.
Well, tonight there's no let up as we understand the Anti Drug Unit is waiting to question him after the examination of the containers is done tonight.
We'll have more on this story tomorrow.
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