The outlaw culture at the Benque Viejo Free Zone continues to be exposed with regular reports of criminality. On Satruday, another business burgled - this time the thieves got off with 44 boxes of cigarettes, and $13,320 dollars. But, the 28 year old Guatemalan business owner Eswin Guiterez refused to cooperate with police:..
ACP Joseph Myvett- Head NCIB
"Information was given to us of a burglary at the Western Free Zone on the 22nd of September. However, it is our understanding that the proprietor of the warehouse is requesting no court action and he is not being too cooperative with our officers in regards to the burglary."
Jules Vasquez- Reporter
"Is he a Belizean, the owner?"
ACP Joseph Myvett
"No, he is not."
Jules Vasquez
"Are you able to say what nationality?"
ACP Joseph Myvett
"No, I won't say that."
Jules Vasquez
"Sir, every time we talk about free-zone we talk about this rising tide of outlaw behavior in that area. Is it a concern for you all that now even the owners who should be on the licit side of the operation are not cooperating when there have been significant losses?"
ACP Joseph Myvett
"Yes, we are aware and also we are aware that the zone is being secured by security companies. So, there are security guards within the zone."
As we have reported, the cash based trade in cigarettes fuels much of the economic activity in that western Free Zone. Sources tell us that two years ago, a security assessment of the perimeter fence at the Zone turned up as many as three dozen holes.
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