Customs is prosecuting three men who it says are repeat contraband offenders. Customs enforcement caught Henry Diaz, Nathaniel Hinds and Lucio Salinas on Saturday evening in the Yo Chen area of the Corozal District. That is close to an illegal river crossing named Laguna - which is right behind Yo - Chen.
They were in a van - which was loaded with contraband - including 55 sacks of Bola Roja flour, 15 cases of Suprerior and Dos Equis beer, 7 sacks white and red onions, 2 sacks potatoes, 2 plastic tanks with 15 gallons of gasoline and some Nutri-Leche milk.
The value of the goods is five thousand and forty six dollars, and usually customs would assess them three times the value, and settle the matter. That's fifteen thousand, one hundred and thirty-eight dollars.
But instead of that fine - they decided to criminally charge the men because Customs says they are repeat offenders. So, all three are charged with recklessly carrying uncustomed goods - and Customs is going for the minimum fine of twenty thousand dollars.
Today in Corozal Magistrate's Court, they all pleaded not guilty and were offered bail of five thousand dollars.
As we have reported, contraband potatoes and onions continue to hurt local farmers - by finding their way into the marketplace and underselling the price of the locally produced product.
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