On this newscast, we regularly show you all the contraband that Orange Walk Customs collects in the villages of that district. But, while we see the finished product, it's not always easy to collect - since those contraband items - whether they be beers, or sacks of Mexican Vegetables, represent an investment for the villagers who go over to Mexico to buy them. It's completely illegal, but its the norm in the north - and today some villagers clashed with Customs because of it. This confrontation, captured by a bystander, happened on the Yo Creek Road at about 11:00 am, where a group of men openly clashed with a joint patrol comprising BAH Customs, Police and BDF. The team had just sized a truckful of contraband limes, lettuce, green pepper and other vegetables from a bus that was heading to Orange Walk.
But the men put up a fight, and seemed in this video to actually assault the lawmen. The situation got a little hairy on the road - especially since the BDF soldiers - who were armed with assault rifles - had to use maximum restraint. The men eventually dashed into the bushes on the side of the road and escaped. We saw them come up from the shoulder about a half a mile away after Customs had left.
Customs confiscated the items - and there were reports that police had detained some men - but the Orange Walk station would not confirm.
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