7 News Belize

The Return of Rawell
posted (April 7, 2015)
Two years ago it made national headlines when Rawell Pelayo - the senior vice president of the FFB, was intercepted by US Authorities in Houston when he was on his way to the Gold Cup. The information at the time was that he faced very serious charges for narcotics smuggling - and that the US Authorities had been waiting for him for some time. But, tonight, 21 months later, Rawell Pelayo is home in Orange Walk. He was deported from the United States today and was taken to the GSU office at the Queen Street Police station this afternoon. After a standard hour and a half processing - which all deportees go through - he was released to his family, a free man. He didn't want to grant an interview and would only give a brief comment:..

Rawell Pelayo, Deported to Belize
"I will give you all an interview later on, but right now I need to get to my family, because I haven't seen them for a while."

Jules Vasquez
"How do you feel being back?"

Rawell Pelayo, Deported to Belize
"Good. I am happy to be home. Nothing like Belize. I will save the interview for when I meet you."

After that he was off to Orange Walk.

We could not find out under what circumstances Pelayo was released - but there are reports, which suggest that he made a plea-bargain, and cooperated with US authorities. The grand jury charge that he was convicted of was conspiracy to commit importation cocaine, and according to the court documents, the amount in question is 5 kilograms. There are other reports which say the charges against him could not stick - so he would be released.

We checked this evening and confirmed that Pelayo is still a member of the FFB Executive as the Senior Vice President. The Congress voted four to three one year ago to wait and see if he would be released.

Like others deportees, Pelayo is expected to check in weekly with Orange Walk Police.

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