Tonight, three Mexicans are in the Hattieville Prison pending many more charges for theft and possibly other offences. Leonel Isaac Rodriguez Peralta, Joscan Jafet Hernandez, and Belen Hernandez are being investigated for using bogus bank cards to take ninety-five thousand dollars out of Atlantic Bank ATM machines in the Free Zone, Corozal, Orange Walk, Belize City, San Pedro, Caye Caulker and San Ignacio. This happened between November 2017 and January 2018.
The trio was arrested on Friday in the Corozal District with a huge bundle of Mexican pesos. Police used a water bill to trace them to an apartment in the Ladyville area where they had been staying since December. That's where police took custody of several computers and other electronic items - which are being scanned for information that give some clue as to their illicit activities in Belize. In the meantime, the trio have been charged for a single count of theft. We understand the Financial Intelligence Unit is a major part of the investigation.
Notably, the three have a local contact in Mike Smith - a colorful character with a reputation for various acts of dishonesty. He claims he was their local handler. He was also charged yesterday but for violating the terms of his deportation.
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