The eight men, 7 from Corozal and one from Cayo who were involved in the operation have been charged for recklessly acquiring possession and control of un-customed goods. The barrels were un-declared, un-documented and likely smuggled across from Guatemala,

As we reported, San Ignacio Police found the container truck, along with a pickup - both bearing Corozal plates - at 12:30 on Monday morning in Bullett Tree Village. It was parked adjacent to the village police station - so close that it might be safe to conclude that police were being retained to keep it safe - as more drums were ferried across from the nearby, unregulated Guatemala border point in a cattle truck.

Police believe the chemicals are precursors used in the manufacture of crystal meth, an illegal drug widely used in the United States. Police have information which says that from Bullett Tree, the men were going to smuggle the container across to Botes, Mexico. All the forensic tests are not back yet, but so far, one of the containers has tested positive for hydro-chloric acid, and another for ammonium hydroxide. The other eight are suspected to be phenyl-acetic acid, a much used precursor for crystal meth. That is yet to be confirmed in testing. Those charges are expected tomorrow.