But to pick up the story from there, just 14 hours after that incident with the police in Belize City, they were caught by the Customs Department in Orange Walk with a truck full of contraband beer. Customs officers intercepted Wasani and Jafari Castro, along with Dedric Ramclam and Gian Espadas, on a BSI road transporting 89 cases Coronas, valued at an estimated $6200 dollars. And, they were in a whit swingle with no plates. The group was immediately taken into custody where they made an agreement with the officers to settle the matter out of court.
Today we spoke to Comptroller of Customs, Colin Griffith, about the incident...
Colin Griffith, Customs Comptroller
"There was an incident Friday evening where the customs patrol stopped a vehicle. I believe it was driven by one, Jafari Castro. In the vehicle also there was Wasani Castro, Gian Espadas and Dedric Ramclam. A search of the vehicle revealed 89 cases of Corona Beer. The vehicle and the occupants were escorted to the substation in Orange Walk where the beers were labeled and a custody receipt was issued and they were asked to come to Customs on Monday. They did indicated at that time also that they would like to resolve the matter out of court, to which the officers in Orange Walk agreed to. We have since met with the 4 individuals this morning and agreed to an out of court settlement to which they were told that the fine has to be paid in full."
"Usually with out of court settlement there is an initial amount is paid and then the balance is paid incrementally, since we indicated that it has to be in full and after the Wingle which is in Orange Walk would be released."
Because two of the illegal importers are the sons of a Minister of Cabinet, it was rumored that Customs' agreement to settle the matter out of court was a sign of favoritism, or the pulling of political strings. Griffith reassured us today that nothing of the sort occurred, and that settlements are common practice for customs infractions...
Colin Griffith, Customs Comptroller
"I can say categorically that I personally have not received any calls and the agreement that we have brokered with the 4 individuals is no different from any agreement that the Customs Department would have entered into had it involved any other person."
The offenders will be required to pay the full amount upfront in order to get their impounded truck back.
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