Tonight, Belizean fisherman Iginio Canto remains in a Guatemalan jail - and his family is worried about his safety there.
As we told you he was arrested along with 2 Guatemalans 10 days ago allegedly smuggling large quantities of out of season lobster into Guatemala.
On Wednesday, his brother in the Corozal District told CTV-3 that they got a call from inmates at the Puerto Barios prison demanding five thousand dollars to ensure his safety.
Voice of: Guadalupe Canto, Iginio's Brother
"The problem that we have right now with the prison in Guatemala is that some of the same prisoners are asking for $5000.00 to see what I will do."
"Yes he is still detained, but I spoke to him via telephone from one of the same prisoner that is asking that I deposit the money."
"They want this money, that is what has us worried at this time that they would hurt him in there because of this money. I personally cant' do anything else to help him. We have to see what we do, we need help."
"We have spoken to a lawyer who have tried reasoning with them but the same if they don't get the money they don't want to work along with him."
"In the meantime they haven't sentenced him or charged him."
"We believe that because of the problems between Guatemala and Belize that is why they harassed him."
His family also has to come up with the fine for the Guatemalan authorities - which is separate from the protection fee that is being extorted out of them.
They are charged with smuggling 216 pounds of whole lobster, 20 pounds of lobster tails, and 80 pounds of queen conch.
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