Last week we told you about the human trafficking cargo that was busted by Ladyville police. As we reported, they impounded the van and recovered most of the 15 persons who were inside. The owner of that van, a well-known Orange Walk resident was detained and then later released. Turns out he had rented the van - and he says he had no idea that the persons he rented it to would use it to move human traffic from west to north. Today we met him at the Ladyville police station trying to get his van back. He told us more:..
Jules Vasquez
"You rented it. Did you know they were going to use it for human trafficking?"
Matthew Williams
"No sir, automatically no sir. I didn't have any intensions that they were going to do that. Before I even handed the key to my vehicle I explained to them that I don't want then to run nothing illegal in my van because I don't want to have any problem with the law and they still went and did stuff behind my back."
Jules Vasquez
"Have you spoken with these people?"
Matthew Williams
"Right now I am looking for them and the authorities are looking for them too because I need to get some answers from them."
Marion Ali, reporter
"When you were renting or lending them the vehicle, you never had a conversation with them as to what the use of the vehicle be used for?"
Matthew Williams
"No, I knew one of the guys and I explained to them not to do any illegal. The guy told me not to worry; we are going to take care of your van for you. I didn't know that they were with that intention of going and do that illegal stuff."
Jules Vasquez
"Is it somebody you would have suspected that might have one foot in the illicit world? Because like if I were to rent your vehicle, you wouldn't tell me not to do anything illegal because you know I don't operate in illegality - there are some people who are in between. Is it that you could have had the suspicion?"
Matthew Williams
"To tell the truth, I did feel a little way, that is the reason I told them not to run anything illegal in my van because I don't want to have any problems. I felt something before I even handed them the key because when they gave me the money $150, I handed them the key and explain to them to please don't do anything illegal in my van."
Jules Vasquez
"In June of last year, the GSU search your house and did find a Panamanian passport, a Spanish passport and 3 Belizean passports. Now if you put that along with this and the name Matthew Williams - you have a big name, from as far back as it may be and so if you put all those things together - you'd say, maybe Matthew knows more than he is telling us."
Matthew Williams
"Actually with those passports - I was helping with nationalization with people at that time when the government was having that nationalization process. I had a Panamanian passport yes I admit to it and I had a Spanish passport because those guys wanted me to help them get nationalize. In regards to the Belize passports - a guy who was staying at my house forgot the passports there - that was one of the Belizean passports, but the other two passports were a guy that worked at the pit found the two passports and he gave me the other two passports."
Jules Vasquez
"I have to ask you straight up Mr. Matthew, are you involved in any way in human trafficking?"
Matthew Williams
"No sir, not at all. I am afraid for that little set up."
Williams did not get back his van today - but says he'll keep trying.
Email
Print