The chase ended when the driver jumped out of the van and ran through the bushes - leaving his human cargo to deal with the police. They were 12 Cubans inside, nine adults and three children.

Police detained the dozen and took 7 of them, 6 men and 1 female to court today.

They appeared before magistrate Patrica Arana and were charged for "Entering Belize elsewhere than at an approved place of entry." 4 pled not guilty, while 3 pled guilty. All 7 were fined $2,000 dollars each.