Guatemalans Humberto Alfonso Monroy and Ervin GARCIA both farmers from Melchor are expected to go to court tomorrow where they will face a half a million dollar fine for attempting to smuggle 40 cases of insecticide into Belize. On Saturday morning, a police patrol caught them on the Calla Creek Road with 40 cases of Rainbow Respekt Insecticide - which is a pesticide not registered in Belize.
That means it is prohibited, and it's also vary value. Customs puts the value at almost 172 thousand dollars - and the fine is three times that.
Now, usually these matters are settled before they go to court - and settled for only a potion of what would be the fine. But, for that to happen, some wealthy person or business interest would have to come up with a large sum of money- because of the high value of the pesticide. We're told that late this evening, some talks are being held towards that - so we'll see if they do go to court tomorrow.
Those with a knowledge of the industry tell us that such a large quantity of fertilizer would have to be destined for a large agro-business interest - and it's not just random contraband.
The head of the Benque Customs Unit stressed that he thanked police for their hard work and diligence in making the bust.
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