68 year-old Gary West, and his wife 67 year-old Evelyn West, a retired couple on missionary work from Minnesota were taken to court today for failing to declare that they had fifty six thousand, six hundred dollars on them in cash when they tried to enter the country.
According to the Customs Department, the couple arrived at the PGIA last week Friday, and they told the authorities that they were here to explore the possibility of opening a church in Belize.
The problem is that when they approached the customs officers, and they were asked if they had anything to declare, they said that they didn't. Their bags were then searched and the officers found 21 thousand US dollars in Evelyn West's luggage. The officers also found $7 thousand, 3 hundred US dollars in Gary West's wallet and his pants pocket.
As a result, they were both charged with 1 count each of failure to declare currency above $10,000, and they were arraigned today before Senior Magistrate Sharon Frazer.
In the presence of their attorney, both pleaded guilty to the charges. Gary West was fined $1,000 forthwith, and Evelyn West was fined $5,000 to be paid forthwith. They were able to pay their fines and they were released from custody.
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