Two nights ago, 7News broke the news of the contraband cops caught on camera on the Belize side of the Rio Hondo, smuggling in contraband from Botes, Mexico. The commissioner told us that he hadn't seen the video - so we sent it to him. Well, action has been surprisingly swift and decisive. The second in charge in Orange Walk gave CTV-3 an update today:
Insp. Jose Mendez, OW Police - 2nd I.C.
"In respect to that video footage that was aired I believe Wednesday, prior to that we have heard rumors in respect to some video footage being circulated. We made efforts to try and locate or someone to come forward to assist us with that video footage, however it was fruitless. Not until Wednesday when the issue surfaced. In respect to that footage, we immediately commence an investigation into the matter. Up to yesterday evening we were able to identify the two individuals in the vehicle. A witness statement was recorded and the officer involved in that behind the steering wheel was brought in and interviewed, which led us to file a disciplinary charge against him for an act of prejudice to good order and discipline."
"The other individual identified is a voluntary special constable. Up to now he was been suspended from that program, pending the outcome of this investigation."
Reporter
"This was for his personal use, do you know that or he is bringing it in for someone?"
Insp. Jose Mendez, OW Police - 2nd I.C.
"I wouldn't want to comment on the details of the investigation."
A late evening police press release says that the Commissioner received the video on the Wednesday evening and the commissioner immediately directed the acting commanding officer of the Orange Walk Formation, Inspector Jose Mendez to carry out an investigation. The police involved were identified as Constable #1349 Jorge Ascurio of the Orange Walk formation and Alfredo Ismael Gongora a voluntary Special Constable.
7News is reliably informed that other videos exist showing Orange Walk police in other patrol vehicles doing the same thing.
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