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Police told us that they had to charge the pair for a prohibited firearm:...

ASP Alejandro Cowo - OC, CIB
"On Saturday 13th October, 2018, just after 2pm, Benque Viejo police received information of a Guatemalan vehicle beige in color exiting from the Benque Viejo Free Zone. Upon the arrival at the entrance of the free zone, they intercepted that vehicle and upon conducting a search inside of the vehicle, it led to the discovery of an Uzi machine gun loaded with 2 magazines containing 25 live rounds of ammunition on each magazine. The persons inside of the vehicle at the time were learnt to be Juan Garcia Palma, a 31 year old Guatemalan national and Armando Pop Hub, also a Guatemalan national. Mr. Pop was the driver of the vehicle. As a result both male persons and the vehicle were escorted to the Benque Viejo police station where a further search was conducted, but only that Uzi was found inside of the vehicle. Subsequently on that, Mr. Pop and Mr. Palma were arrested and charged for kept prohibited firearm and kept unlicensed ammunition."

Reporter
"Are they claiming to be police officers in Guatemala?"

ASP Alejandro Cowo - OC, CIB
"Based on the information that Benque Viejo police have received, those 2 persons are police officers from Guatemala."

Reporter
"They have special licensed to have those weapons in Belize?"

ASP Alejandro Cowo- OC, CIB
"No."

Reporter
"How about the argument that the free zone is supra-legal. It's above the law in some extent in term of some of the laws that apply in the sovereign territory of Belize don't apply there. So is there any way that they can say as I heard they did, that we cleared it with the security at the zone, so we are good?"

ASP Alejandro Cowo- OC, CIB
"I know that in order for you to have a weapon in our country, you must have a licensed authorized by the commissioner and this goes to any national or foreigner persons visiting or living in the country. I know they have been charged and I think they will be before the court this morning or they have been already before the court this morning."

Reporter
"Which is mandatory remand?"

ASP Alejandro Cowo- OC, CIB
"Yes."

Reporter
"Is this something that the police department is liaising with foreign affairs on, being of an international sensitive situation?"

ASP Alejandro Cowo- OC, CIB
"Yes, it is something that is occurring since their detention."

We know that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been following the case - and it is left to be seen if they will try and make an intervention. The firearms charges the men face carry stiff prison sentences, if convicted.