Tonight, local law enforcement continues to detain 14 Hondurans, 5 adults and 9 children, after they were busted by San Ignacio Police in what appears to be a human trafficking operation.
On Friday night, police came upon them by pure chance after the cops noticed a black and grey van traveling through San Ignacio with heavily tinted windows. That raised suspicion, and so the cops stopped it and searched the vehicle for illegal activity. That's when they found all 14 Hondurans in Belize without the required travel documents.
At today's police press conference, the Head of the National Criminal Investigations Branch discussed the case with the media:
ACP Joseph Myvette - Head, NCIB
"On Friday, the 4th of January, sometime at around 8 p.m., San Ignacio police were on mobile patrol in Santa Elena Town, when they observed a black and grey Ford Expedition, heavily tinted within town. As a result, that vehicle was stopped by San Ignacio police, and at the time, it was found to being driven by one Fernando Moh, 55 years-old, of a Benque Viejo Town address. Upon approaching the driver, the vehicle was found to contain 14 other occupants, all Honduran nationals: 2 adult females, 3 adult males, and 9 minors. The minors were placed in care of the Human Development Department, whilst the others along with driver are delayed pending immigration related charges."
Reporter
"Do, police suspect that this was a human trafficking or human smuggling type operation?"
ACP Joseph Myvette
"Yes, we do believe so."
Reporter
"Sir, is there anything to indicate that Belize was supposed to be their final destination or were they heading to another country, maybe to cross the border?"
ACP Joseph Myvette
"A this point in time, they are being interviewed in relation to that part of the investigation."
At this time, the authorities are investigating with a view to bring criminal charges against the driver and the 5 adults.
The Ford Explorer is a rental.
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