7 News Belize

Mexican Counterfeiter To Court
posted (October 15, 2019)
On Friday we told you about 39 year old Mexican, Gilberto Hernandez Gallego. He was caught at the Phillip Goldson International with 40,800 US dollars in counterfeit currency hidden in a false bottom of his suitcase.

He was detained and his two Brazilian traveling companions were refused entry and sent back home.

Today, the second in charge of national crimes investigation didn't want to say much:

Sr. Supt. Hilberto Romero
"Gilberto Gallego was charged for possession of counterfeit currency."

Reporter
"Is there any indication what he claimed was his business?"

Sr. Supt. Hilberto Romero
"I will not go into the details of the investigation. At some point at the airport after a search, the counterfeit was found, it was checked and he has been charged and taken before the court."

Reporter
"Is he part of any international criminal ring, sir?"

Sr. Supt. Hilberto Romero
"We are looking into that at this time with our counterparts."

Tonight, Hernandez Gallego is in jail on remand at the Belize Central Prison after appearing in court for three counts of possession of counterfeit currency. It's three counts because the 408 bills had just three serial numbers duplicated. Over a hundred times each.

Gallegos appeared before Senior Magistrate, Aretha Ford in the presence of his attorney, Ronell Gonzalez.

Prosecutor Corporal Kennard Clark objected to bail because he is a flight risk, among other reasons.

His attorney Gonzalez noted that the police claim they found the counterfeit notes in a suitcase which had the his client's name, but the suitcase had no lock and anyone could have placed the counterfeit notes there. Gonzalez made many other arguments for bail.

Senior Magistrate Ford was unconvinced because he is a flight risk so she remanded him to the Belize Central Prison until December 2019. Police sources say he is linked to the Hell's Angels Motorcycle gang.

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