7 News Belize

Police Officer in Cross Border Weapon Smuggling?
posted (August 8, 2017)
Tonight, a police constable is in custody facing serious charges after he was found in a vehicle with a gun last night. Here's more on the seizure in the Cayo District:

Jules Vasquez reporting
Last night at 9:50, PC Franklin Ramirez was behind the wheel of this Ford Explorer eastbound to Belmopan when the MIT stopped the vehicle near mile 56 in Ontario Village. Three other persons were inside, they are: John Pineda Trevor Dean Brown and Elorey Graham:

ACP Edward Broaster, Ag. OC - Eastern Division
"A search was conducted on that vehicle, and was subsequently escorted to the police training academy where a secondary search was conducted where members of the mobile interdiction team discovered a win millimeter pistol which was concealed under the glove compartment. The four occupants have since been detained and will be charged today. The police officer will additionally face disciplinary charges for the firearm."

They also had three magazines, all stowed in a hidden compartment within the dashboard. It has the elements of a sophisticated operation - and - to that end - what is most intriguing, is that there is the suggestion of a joint enterprise of cross border weapons trafficking:

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"I understand that the weapon has a serial number that apparently it is registered in Guatemala. Is that information you are aware of."

ACP Edward Broaster, Ag. OC - Eastern Division
"Well we are investigating that as well. We know for a fact that the firearm originated from Guatemala."

"Well, based on the discovery and a previous discovery, we're investigating this matter very seriously and cannot comment any further on what might be the motive of this smuggling of firearms."

Reporter
"A previous discovery where, Sir?"

ACP Edward Broaster, Ag. OC - Eastern Division
"Aha, a shotgun that was found a on a bus, coming from Cayo."

Reporter
"And how it was linked to this one? I will not go into that at this time?"

That second weapon, the shotgun was found 6 days ago at an MIT checkpoint at mile 54 in the back of a Valencia bus going from Benque to Belmopan. Police say there's a criminal enterprise at work:

ACP Edward Broaster, Ag. OC - Eastern Division
"Well generally most of the criminals we know for a fact are going to Guatemala to purchase firearms. We intend to step upon our interdiction efforts because, we know that from time to time they take stolen goods to Guatemala and come back with either marijuana or firearms."

Franklin is assigned to eastern Division Precinct 2.

The four were arraigned and have been remanded. They are three adults and one minor.

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