On last night's newscast, we told you about the 2 Belizeans, one of whom is a social worker, who was charged with facilitating the commission of a crime. That's after police allegedly intercepted them near Crooked Tree Village on Tuesday, smuggling 4 Honduran nationals from San Ignacio to Orange Walk.
Well, police today charged 5 more Belizeans with the same crime, after they were linked to the same incident. They are 25 year-old Neysa Gomez, 19 year-old Joanna Arrevallo, 34 year-old Felicito Galvez, 39 year-old Enrique Morales, and 26 year-old Ervin Arrevallo.
All 5 were arraigned this afternoon before Magistrate Emmerson Banner, where they pleaded not guilty to the offense, and they were each released on bail of $3,000.
And while police say it is a human smuggling operation, taking 4 Hondurans to the northern border, attorney for the five accused, Hurl Hamilton, stressed in an interview with us that local law enforcement have not charged them with any offense under the Trafficking in Persons Act:
Hurl Hamilton - Attorney for Defendants
"Five of my clients have been charged today, and they have been charged with facilitating the commission of an offense. Their names are Enrique Morales, Ervin Arrevalo, Naisia Gomez, Juana Arrevalo, and Felicito Galvez."
"2 were charged yesterday, similar offense, same offense. That would have been Sergio Guerra and Edwin Nah."
Reporter
"So tell us the nature of the charge. Were they allegedly charged with facilitating a human trafficking? What-"
Hurl Hamilton
"I am happy that you point that out. I want to make it clear. These 7 individuals, including the 2 from yesterday, they are not charged under the Trafficking in Persons Act, you know. They are charged for immigration offenses. So, it has nothing to do with the Trafficking in Persons Act."
Reporter
"What is the difference, for the public?"
Hurl Hamilton
"Well, the difference is that they charged for immigration offenses, under the Immigration Act."
Reporter
"Like illegal entry?"
Hurl Hamilton
"I would - again, I'm happy that you brought that up. Facilitating the commission of an offense. What is the offense? We don't know. What is the offense? So, it's premature. I don't want to get too much into it, but in my humble view, my respectful view, it has to be attached to an offense. Facilitating what? We don't know. As a matter of fact, we don't even have a fact sheet, to say well, there is some sort of cogency or lack thereof in the evidence. So, I am at a loss. What offense, I don't know, quite frankly. Your guess is as good as mine."
All 5 of these defendants must return to court on September 17th, 2019.
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