2024 - Channel 5 Belize

Four Arrested in Sarteneja Cocaine Bust

Police have arrested and charged four individuals following a major drug bust in northern Belize.

On the night of Wednesday, September 18, around 9:00 p.m., authorities executed a search warrant at the residence of 35-year-old Armando Torrez, a Belizean fisherman from the Corozal District. Present at the home were 36-year-old Mirna Durantes, 32-year-old Delwyn Novelo, and 37-year-old Nigel Neal. While Torrez, Durantes, and Novelo are from the Corozal District, Neal hails from the Belize District.

The search uncovered 25 parcels of suspected cocaine, weighing a total of 28.38 kilograms (62.57 pounds). Samples were taken from all the parcels for further analysis.

The following day, police charged Armando Israel Torres, Mirna Mira Durantes, Delwyn Gildardo Novelo, and Nigel Alexander Neal with “Possession of Controlled Drugs with Intent to Supply.” They were arraigned at the Corozal Magistrate’s Court, where Torres pleaded guilty with an explanation, while the other three pleaded not guilty. Torres did not enter a formal plea, and all four have been remanded to the Kolbe Foundation until November 15, 2024.

PM Briceño on Inflation and Price Gouging

During his State of the Nation address, Prime Minister John Briceño, said, “Inflation is down, falling from 6.3% in 2022 to 3.8% in 2024.” However, when News 5 asked Belize City residents, we got a different answer. One resident said, “I don’t know where this come down because I see the price of basic things gone up,” and another said, “We deh out ya and we di see the economy, exactly what di happen. Tell and talk the truth to the people mek the people know because wi do have inflation da Belize and deh have it da America.”

A third city resident we spoke with said, “Cost ah living can’t goh down when every week nearly everything di goh up. Every other two weeks everything di nearly double the price.”

When we asked for his response to the statements of some Belize City residents, PM Briceño told News 5, “I understand what you’re saying. The prices indeed have gone up from 2020, but when you look at the rate of inflation, you compare it to the previous year. Not to 2020. So last year the inflation rate was over 4% and now it’s down to about 3%, but 3% of last year, not of 2020. So yes, the price are still high and we hoping that with time and competition that the prices are going to come down even more.”

As for price gouging, the PM said, “It exists and wherever we find that, we try to act as best as we possibly can.”

Corozal Police Seize 28 kilogrammes of Cocaine in Sarteneja

Corozal police have confiscated over 28 kilogrammes of suspected cocaine in Sarteneja Village. The operation, which forms part of their ongoing northern operations, resulted in the discovery of 25 parcels of the illicit substance.

Commissioner of Police Chester Williams reported that the house search took place on Wednesday night, following intelligence that led officers to a residence in Sarteneja. “The search led to the discovery of 25 parcels of what we suspect to be cocaine,” he stated.

Three males and one female “are in police custody and are expected to be charged today for drug trafficking,” Williams confirmed. The parcels, along with the individuals apprehended at the scene, have been secured by law enforcement.

Commissioner Williams clarified that this operation differs from a previous case in Chunox Village, where six parcels of cocaine were seized.”A number of persons were detained for that. One person pled guilty when the matter went before the court, and the case was withdrawn against the other,” Williams explained.

PM Briceño Responds to LOO Moses Barrow

In an exclusive interview with News 5, Prime Minister John Briceño responded to claims made by Leader of the Opposition, Moses “Shyne” Barrow, during his State of the Nation address. Barrow said that Belize’s economy is in trouble, pointing to the closure of businesses like Renco, Smiling Meats, Hofius, and Bottom Dollar to challenge Prime Minister Briceño’s claim of a six-billion-dollar GDP. Barrow also raised concerns about a teacher shortage and recommended reducing the 120 CPD hour requirement for educators. Additionally, he highlighted a 40% increase in homicides, though he acknowledged that crime figures had improved in recent months, as noted by the Commissioner of Police.

When asked about the LOO’s statements, PM Briceño told News 5, “I would just smile and leave him as it is. I think he lives in his own world… It takes two to tango, or, you know, but so it’s best to leave him there by himself.”

He added, “I think people have seen the work. People are feeling the work that the tremendous work that our government has been doing.” According to the Prime Minister, more people are working and less are living in poverty. He said, “With the changes in the income tax regime, we’re allowing even more people to go into the middle class. The increase of the minimum wage to go to five dollars, you know. That in itself. Like you said, a tide rises our ship, so raising up to 5, the people that were working at 5, their salaries have gone up.”

“We are living in a much better place than we were in November of 2020.”

Haiti Moves Toward First Elections Since 2016

Haiti has taken a key step toward its first elections since 2016 with the formation of a nine-member provisional electoral council. This body is responsible for organising elections by February 2026.

The last election, held in 2016, resulted in Jovenel Moïse’s election, but his assassination in July 2021 created a power vacuum. Ariel Henry, Moïse’s appointed prime minister, assumed leadership but faced significant challenges, including a gang takeover of the Port-au-Prince airport in February 2024, which hindered his return. Henry resigned in April, leading to the formation of a transitional presidential council, which appointed Garry Conille as interim prime minister.

A Kenyan-led multinational security force has been sent to support Haitian police against the gangs, but its efforts have been hampered by limited resources. UN Secretary-General António Guterres criticised the international community for insufficient support in Haiti’s crisis.

U.S. Department of State: Belize Lacks Progress in Fiscal Transparency

The U.S. Department of State’s 2024 Fiscal Transparency Report has identified Belize and Suriname as failing to make significant progress toward fiscal transparency. According to the report, these are the only Caribbean countries that have not met the minimum fiscal transparency standards set by the Department of State.

The report assesses compliance with fiscal transparency standards based on evaluations from the 2014 Fiscal Transparency Report. Key criteria include the public disclosure of national budget documents and adherence to clear guidelines for contracting and licensing in natural resource extraction.

While nations such as The Bahamas, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago were praised for meeting transparency requirements, Belize and Suriname were noted for their shortcomings.

During the review period, Belize made its enacted budget, end-of-year report, and information on debt obligations publicly available, including online. The report states that the budget information was reliable, and the documents provided a substantially complete picture of the government’s planned expenditures and revenues, including those from natural resources. “However, it did not publish an executive budget proposal within a reasonable period. Publicly available budget documents provided a substantially complete picture of the government’s planned expenditures and revenue, including natural resource revenues.”

The report added that the government reviewed its budget throughout the fiscal year, with actual revenues and expenditures aligning reasonably with the enacted budget. “The military and intelligence budgets were subject to civilian public oversight. While the supreme audit institution met international standards of independence and had access to the entire executed budget, it did not publish audit reports within a reasonable period.”

The report advises that Belize make its executive budget proposal policy available within a reasonable period and ensure that the supreme audit institution audits the government’s executed budget and makes audit reports publicly available within a reasonable period.

US Lists Belize as Major Drug Transit Countries for 2025

Four Caribbean countries have been listed as major drug transit and illicit drug-producing countries for the fiscal year 2025 by the United States. The four countries are Belize, the Bahamas, Jamaica, and Haiti. President Joe Biden clarified that this designation is not a reflection of these governments’ counterdrug efforts, stating, “The list is not a sanction or penalty.”

President Biden explained that the criteria for this designation involve geographic, commercial, and economic factors that facilitate drug transit or production, regardless of a government’s commitment to narcotics control. He noted that recent amendments to the definition now include countries supplying precursor chemicals.

Despite the challenges, Biden highlighted a recent decrease in drug overdose deaths in the US, with an estimated 107,543 deaths in 2023. This represents the first annual decline since 2018, which he attributed to his administration’s efforts while also emphasising the importance of a coordinated global response to the drug crisis.

To combat drug trafficking, Biden’s administration launched a Global Coalition in July 2023, now comprising over 150 countries. He stated, “Every continent is experiencing an alarming increase in the manufacturing, trafficking, and consumption of dangerous illicit synthetic drugs.” Other countries included in the US list are Afghanistan, Bolivia, Burma, China, Colombia, and Mexico, among others.

Belikin or GOB’s Approved 10K Cases of Corona?

10,000 cases of Corona Beer are set to make their way to Belize. It has prompted a wave of debate over the local brewing industry. The government-approved import comes as an effort to address ongoing shortages in the tourism sector, where Belikin has reportedly struggled to keep up with demand.

However, the decision raises questions about the ‘protection’ of local businesses in the face of competition from a global giant.

The Ministry of Agricultural and Food Security has stipulated that the bottles must be labelled ‘Belize Market’ and that the import must occur in stages, with the company required to pay high import duties due to the lack of reduced tariffs for Mexican beer.

The conditional approval has reportedly caused unrest within government circles, as local brewing companies such as Bowen & Bowen have voiced their concerns.

A Lasting Tribute: George Cadle Price Statue Unveiled in Battlefield Park

Belize honoured its first Prime Minister, George Cadle Price, with the unveiling of a statue in Battlefield Park on Wednesday night. Organised by the Government of Belize and the Belize Tourism Board, the event not only celebrates Price’s contributions but also serves as a tribute to his enduring legacy as the ‘Father of the Nation’.

This honour came just ahead of the National Day of Service that pays tribute to Price’s life and service.

The ceremony featured a special message from Cabinet Minister Henry Usher, a musical presentation by Alexander Evans, and closing remarks from Tourism Minister Anthony Mahler. The statue and its perimeter were blessed prior to the unveiling.

The statue was sculpted by Steven Okeke. Standing at 16 feet and 7 inches, it depicts Price in his iconic Guayabera shirt and dress pants, holding a copy of the Belize Times in his left hand to symbolise his commitment to informed leadership. His right hand is raised in an open wave, reflecting his welcoming spirit.

The base of the statue features an inscription: “George Cadle Price, Sunrise: January 1919, Sunset: September 19, 2011. The Rt. Hon. George Cadle Price led the fight for Belize’s independence, transitioning from Belize’s first Premier to its first Prime Minister. He led a title of service to its nation and its people as our ‘Father of the Nation.’ His legacy continues to inspire as we strive for progress and unity.” A QR code that can be seen on the base provides additional information about the statue’s design.

This tribute, and the conversion of Price’s family home to an “immersive educational environment,” serves as a lasting reminder that George Price’s legacy will continue to inspire and resonate with generations to come.

National Day of Service by Hipolito Novelo

William “Danny” Mason Indicted on Kidnapping and Blackmail Charges

William “Danny” Mason and Ryan Rhaburn were indicted at the High Court this morning before Justice Nigel Pilgrim, each facing two counts of kidnapping. Mason was additionally charged with blackmail. Both men pleaded not guilty.

Mason seemed surprised at the development, stating he was unaware that a retrial had been ordered in his case. He believed a letter had been sent to the Chief Justice regarding how the matter would proceed and was shocked to learn that his case had been transferred from Belmopan to Belize City for a retrial.

Mason appeared in court without legal representation, as his attorney, Hubert Elrington, is currently ill. He may need to seek new counsel and has requested 30 days to prepare. Meanwhile, Ryan Rhaburn was represented by Simeon Sampson. The case has been adjourned until October 17, 2024. Justice Pilgrim has instructed that Mason be provided with the necessary documents related to case management, and all parties are required to file their case management forms by October 11, 2024.

Mason and Rhaburn are accused of kidnapping businessman Lloyd Thiessen and his wife, Rosie, in May 2016 at Mason’s ranch near Mile 31 along the George Price Highway. The alleged kidnapping is said to have arisen from a business dispute, as the couple had reportedly paid Mason $300,000 to import corn, which was never delivered. When they confronted him about the matter, the kidnapping allegedly occurred.