7 News Belize

Salvadorans Got A One Grand Shake Down
posted (December 24, 2013)
A group of four Salvadorians who were heading home for Christmas had the worst experience as they left Belize yesterday. Reports are sketchy at this time, but police have confirmed that there is an investigation into an alleged police shakedown.

It happened in the village of Succotz where a team of four police in black uniforms detained the Salvadorians who were undocumented and had been in Belize illegally. Police reportedly told them that they would let them go, if they paid a thousand dollars. They paid the money and were sent on their way. But before they reached the border just a few miles away, they ran off the road. That's when Benque police came to assist them, discovered they were undocumented and turned them over to Immigration Authorities at the western border.

It almost became an international incident when they told authorities what they had been through. The Salvadorian Embassy had to be called in and the four were allowed to pass through the western border and proceed to Guatemala without further detention.

Officer in charge of Benque Viejo superintendent Dinsdale Thompson told us that he has confirmed that his officers - who do not have black uniforms were not involved. He said the matter has been forwarded to the Professional Standards Branch in Belmopan.

So which unit did have up the checkpoint? Acting Commissioner of Police Miguel Segura did not respond to our requests for a comment. In the past three weeks, four police officers have been charged for extortion or related offences.

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