On Monday we showed you the dramatic capture of 28 year old Guatemalan Benigno Garcia. It happened on Saturday at the extreme western edge of Belize’s territory in the Caracol Archaeological Reserve – just 500 meters from the Guatemalan border. The BDF, police and the friends for conservation and development were there as Garcia was intercepted in Belizean territory with a loaded 22 rifle, and a pair of two freshly killed gibnut that he is believed to have caught – in the Chiquibul forest – which is a protected area.

Garcia was charged for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition and remanded until March of next year. But that may not be the end of it. 7News has received credible reports which say that Garcia’s people from a Guatemalan border community have sent word back to the BDF that they should release him or face the possibility of coming under attack in the Chiquibul.

It is a worrying report we heard from highly placed sources in the security network – but it could not be officially confirmed with the BDF. What we did officially confirm with the Police senior command is that the BDF and Police had to respond to the sound of gunshots being fired in Chiquibul near D’Silva Camp yesterday afternoon. A joint police special patrol; and BDF team were sent out to the area but found nothing.

Generally, it’s not an area used by Belizeans so the sound of gunshots is cause for concern amongst security forces who as we showed you must maintain extreme vigilance in the much-encroached-upon area.