Two Belizean men from the Corozal District were found in a pile of bodies in Mexico over the weekend- and it appears to be the work of cartels. Police say the victims are Michael Whittaker and Aaron Tunn.
The 5 bodies were found in the community of Sacxan on the Rio Hondo. This village is close to Ramonal in Belize where the drugs and contraband moves between Belize and Mexico.
They were bound with their faces taped up, similar to the way Raheem Usher's body was found. They also had a warning sign written in Spanish resting on the bodies.
This style is consistent with the cartel and today the ComPol said that they've been in contact with their Mexican counterparts.
He explained that these men were wanted in Belize, but met their demise allegedly after they tried to steal money from the cartel. And Williams also added that these two men were believed to be linked to Usher's murder. Here's what he told us today.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"We have been notified by our Mexico counterparts that yes on Saturday morning the Mexican police in Chetumal came across four bodies and among those bodies were two Belizeans from the Corozal District. Again, we continue to collaborate with our Mexico counterparts to see what information can be obtained but certainly we do believe that, again, based on information, that the incident involving those individuals is drug related and may have been carried out by the cartels in the Chetumal area."
Courtney Menzies:
"These men were previously wanted?"
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"Yes again just to solidify the fact that our northern operations is really holding, because of the constant pressure coming through the northern potations, those individuals who are Belizeans had fled Belize and went to live in Chetumal with a view to avoid the operations. Again it goes back to what I said before, you sleep with dogs, you catch their fleas. They went to Chetumal, they are engaged with the cartels. I see Belizeans asking where is Chester Williams, I'm not in charge of Mexican police. I am in charge of Belize police so don't put me in that, I am far away. If it is that something happens in Belize, we do what needs to be done to make sure that we investigate and in some cases like what our northern is doing, it serves as a bulwark to prevent the cartels from coming into our country and operating and I believe that they're doing very good at that."
Reporter:
"Do you believe that it's linked to the Raheem Usher situation?"
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"No, we believe that it is a separate incident. As I said before, we are certain to some extent that Raheem Usher was killed by locals and again I can say to you that we have good information into who those locals are."
Reporter:
"But sir the bodies were found in a similar matter, wrapped up, and a sign as well."
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"If you're trying to mimic something what will you do? We have seen many cartel killings, haven't you?"
Reporter:
"No."
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"Go and do research on cartel killings on the internet, you'll see them."
Courtney Menzies:
"But what do you make of this particular sign saying this is what happens to persons stopping the cigarette trade or something like that?"
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"I don't know, I can say from what we have gathered so far is that these people seemingly are operating for the cartels in Mexico and they are collecting fees and the fees being collected is stolen by them. So they're not reporting to their bosses on their collections and because of that, that is the reason why they were killed."
"There's another person we are looking for, one Joshua Hall. he, from what we understand was along with that group but he was able to escape and from what we are getting, he is back in Belize and we are looking for him. We do have a bench warrant for his arrest so once he's found, he will be taken into custody."
Courtney Menzies:
"The suspects that you spoke about in the Raheem Usher case, do you believe they are in Belize or do you think they skipped the border?"
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"Two of them we believe are dead."
Courtney Menzies:
"So it is kinda connected in a way. If you believe these two men were killed for Raheem."
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"Doesn't mean that they're connected, no. possibilities yes but doesn't give a definitive answer."
A relative of Whittaker told us he was working in Mexico and employed as a driver to transport children to and from school. He was the father of two girls in Belize. They say their family has been in contact with Mexican authorities and are making arrangements for his funeral in Belize.