February, 2025 - Channel 5 Belize

ComPol Williams says Raheem Usher Was Killed by “Locals”, Not The Cartel

Authorities have dismissed speculation that the killing of 29-year-old Raheem Usher was the work of a drug cartel. According to Police Commissioner Chester Williams, the crime appeared to have been carried out by locals attempting to mimic cartel-style violence.

Usher’s body was found near a bridge in San Antonio Village. He had been missing since January 25.

According to Commissioner Williams, initial observations by investigators revealed what appeared to be two gunshot wounds. A handwritten note, listing several names, was also found on a canvas near the body. The scene was processed, and the body was later transported to the hospital, where Usher was officially pronounced dead.

Despite public speculation linking the murder to organised crime, Williams expressed scepticism, stating that there were no clear indicators of cartel involvement.

“There has been much talk in the media and among the public that this is a cartel hit or a cartel-style killing,” Williams said. “But I believe this was not done by a cartel, but rather by locals trying to make it look that way.”

He pointed to several inconsistencies, including the location where the body was found, the use of English in the note, and the manner in which the body was wrapped and disposed of. According to Williams, these details did not align with known cartel execution methods.

“If you’re trying to paint a picture and make something look a certain way, you’ll do your best to make it appear that way,” he stated.

While the commissioner ruled out direct cartel involvement, he acknowledged the possibility that those responsible had ties to organised crime.

“ That is a possibility that the persons who we believe are behind this killing do have cartel connections. So we’re looking at that as well. But again, having cartel connections and the cartel doing something are two different things.

OIRSA Expands Insectary in Belmopan

The International Regional Organisation for Health in Agriculture (OIRSA), along with the Resilient Rural Belize Programme (RRB), the Ministry of Economic Development (MED), and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise (MAFSE), has announced the expansion of the Biological Control Insectary at the National Agriculture Showgrounds in Belmopan.

The insectary has been operating since 2003 and has been important in controlling pests like the Pink Hibiscus Mealybug using parasitic wasps. Now, under a new mandate from regional agriculture ministers, the facility will produce additional beneficial insects, such as the Sitotroga cerealella moth and Trichogramma pretiosum wasps, to combat pests like borers, aphids, and whiteflies.

In a statement, MED stated that this $123,000 expansion will help reduce pesticide use, safeguard human health, and promote environmentally friendly farming practices. OIRSA and RRB are also working to educate farmers on using natural pest control methods. “This initiative aims to reduce the irrational use of insecticides in agriculture, protect human health and the environment, and promote the production of safe agricultural commodities for consumers,” the ministry added.

The expanded insectary will support local and regional agricultural sustainability efforts by providing accessible, eco-friendly pest control solutions.

Pope Francis Shows Improvement

Pope Francis is showing signs of improvement after 15 days of treatment for bilateral pneumonia at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. The Vatican reported Friday that the Pope had a restful night and continues his breathing physiotherapy. Although his condition is “complex,” Vatican sources confirmed that the Pope is not in critical condition.

His health updates have been closely followed, with recent tests showing a “normal evolution” of the infection and an improvement in kidney function. However, doctors remain cautious, as his prognosis is still guarded. The Pope, 88, has battled respiratory issues in the past and had been showing signs of fatigue before his hospitalisation on February 14.

Despite his health struggles, Pope Francis remains active, spending time in prayer and receiving the Eucharist. He also engaged in work-related activities, sending messages to the Pontifical Institute of Liturgy. His supporters have gathered outside the hospital, expressing their care and prayers for his recovery.

The Pope’s condition continues to stabilise, but the Vatican urges ongoing prayers for his full recovery.

PNP Calls for Polling Station Adjustments in Toledo East

The People’s National Party (PNP) has formally requested changes to polling station assignments in Toledo East.

In a letter to Chief Elections Officer Josephine Tamai, PNP leader Wil Maheia outlined key areas where adjustments are needed to ensure a fair and convenient voting process.

The party is advocating for Santana Village residents to vote at the Barranco polling station instead of travelling to Cattle Landing, which they argue is unnecessarily far. The PNP is calling for Boom Creek voters to cast their ballots at the Catholic School in Punta Gorda, rather than being required to bypass three other polling stations to reach their designated location.

The letter also states, “we would like to bring attention to the situation in the village of Dolores. Currently, Dolores has a significantly larger number of voters than Otoxa, yet Otoxa is the designated polling station for both communities.” The PNP is pushing for a dedicated polling station in Dolores to improve voter accessibility.

“We urge you to consider these concerns and make the necessary adjustments to ensure a more efficient and accessible voting process for our communities,” Maheia stated.

PUP Launches Plan Belize 2.0

On Thursday night, the People’s United Party (P.U.P.) launched its Plan Belize 2.0 manifesto in San Ignacio. This comes as part of their political campaign ahead of Election Day on March 12.

In his address, party leader John Briceño detailed the progress made over the past four years but also made it clear that much more remains to be done. “I am well aware there is more that needs to be done,” he stated.

Among the key pledges were promises to improve the cost of living and make communities safer through continued crime prevention efforts. “I know the cost of living is still too high, and that we must work harder to make the basic goods and services that we need more affordable,” Briceño stated.

“I know we still have many Belizeans who are sacrificing to support their children,” he said, adding a major announcement, “That is why I am pleased to announce that right here in San Ignacio, effective next school year, Sacred Heart College will be the next school to enjoy free education from 1st form to 4th form.”

Briceño added that while things were difficult in 2019 and 2020, the situation has improved over the past four years, and they have successfully stabilised the country. He said, “We all remember what it was like in 2019 and 2020, but look at where we are now. Just four years later, we have turned things around; we have steadied the ship of state.”

Young Men Drown in Belmopan

Two young men, Alexander Munoz and Henry Artemio Osorio, drowned yesterday in Belmopan. Their bodies were recovered from the Guanacaste Park riverside bathing area. Reports are that at around 4:30 p.m., two female students alerted authorities when their friends failed to resurface.

Police arrived at the scene shortly after. Reports indicate that the men were underwater for about 20 minutes. Despite immediate attempts to revive them, both were pronounced dead. According to witnesses, Munoz drifted away from the group, and Osorio tried to rescue him.

The National Children’s Parliament of Belize issued a statement on social media: “Today, the National Children’s Parliament of Belize, along with the 2021 cohort, mourns the passing of former Speaker of the Children’s Parliament, Hon. Alexander Munoz.” It added, “We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, loved ones, and classmates. May his soul rest in peace.”

In a separate post on Facebook, a relative announced the passing of Osorio on Thursday. “It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of my beloved brother, Henry Osorio,” the relative said. She added, “Just this morning, you were rushing me to hurry because you were ready to go to school. I never imagined today would be our last moment together. Sleep well, my dear brother. Gran and Mamita will take care of you now.”

Cryptic Message Found with Raheem Usher’s Shackled Body

This morning, a gruesome discovery was made near a bridge in San Antonio Village, Orange Walk. The body of twenty-nine-year-old Raheem Usher was found in the Rio Hondo, je was handcuffed and wrapped in a sheet and covered in plastic. Raheem, a construction worker from Libertad Village, Corozal, had been missing since January twenty-fifth. His family had even offered a fifteen-thousand-dollar reward for any information on his whereabouts, but sadly, no leads came through. When his body was found, it came with a chilling message threatening those involved in, quote, bringing down planes with drugs, end quote. The message also mentioned a Corporal of Police at the Corozal Police Formation. Today, Senior Superintendent of Police Chris Noble, who leads that formation, shared with the media what they discovered.

Sr. Supt. Chris Noble, Commander, Northern Region

“A deceased male who has been confirmed to be the missing person from Libertad and he exhibited injury, the body exhibited injury and has been taken to the forensic lab.”

Reporter

“We have seen a photograph of a sheet with a very clear message written on it. It’s a threat really to members of your formation in Corozal.”

Sr. Supt. Chris Noble

“ I don’t know of any threats to the formation and whatever you have is what we have.”

Reporter

“One of the officers named in that message is a relative of the deceased and it’s saying that these things will happen – an end like this will befall these people because they’re involved in plane landings.”

Chris Noble

“In that case, I’ll say that police officers are to protect life and property, but I don’t know that training is done and for plane landings.”

Reporter

”In July of 2023, Usher’s older brother Curtis Usher was shot and killed. He was targeted by men who used high-power rifles, and initially, there was a narco element. Do police believe these two incidents may be connected?”

Chris Noble

“We can’t say that the incidents are connected because in 2023, when the relative was targeted that investigation was done and there may be a possibility of us looking at what that investigation was to carry us forward with this current one.”

Police Say Investigation into Usher’s Murder Will Take Several Angles

Raheem Usher was found with handcuffs on his wrists and duct tape over his eyes. His body was wrapped in a sheet and covered with plastic, which had a note, and a list of names attached. The police are still waiting for a postmortem examination to figure out the cause of death as they try to piece together how his body ended up so far from home. Senior Superintendent Noble didn’t reveal whether it was a civilian or the police who discovered the body.

Sr. Supt. Chris Noble, Commander, Northern Region

“Whatever message, it’s a part of our investigation, which started on or around the 25th of January, and it is continuing now. With this new information we are going at what we’re supposed to be doing as in – with the investigators, as we now have a body, we have, as you say, a message to somebody, because that’s none to me, and we move forward with our investigation.”

Reporter

“Is there a suspicion, Sir, that he was killed by the narcos or the cartel?”

Chris Noble

“Suspicions, again, don’t go anywhere. We have to use what we have and go on a fact finding mission, Sir. It’s a part of our investigation.”

Marion Ali

“Will your fact-finding mission involve any members of the Mexican authorities – the police?”

Chris Noble

“Our investigations run in several directions at any one time. And I want to throw at you the current with a matter in the way that persons were taken back to Guatemala.”

Reporter

“Sir, could you speak about the police’s presence in the north as it pertains to deterring plane landings over the past couple of months?”

Chris Noble

“We have a patrol strategy. It encompasses the entire northern area. The border point has seen specific units assigned and specific assets assigned to those units for that purpose. Are you able to speak about the duct tape and the electrical tape that were also, both of them bunged his eyes? I can’t speak to it. I was one, a person that was reported to, one and two, the investigators are dealing with what was found on scene. If persons are named, one, there’s interview, two, if there’s a need for protection, it will be granted, and three, whenever we verify who those persons are, they become a part of our investigation.”

Reporter

“Handcuffs were found on his hands.”

Chris Noble

“If handcuffs were found on his hands and he was bound by handcuffs then again, I’ll go back to it being a part of our investigation.”

Marion Ali

“Do the police have any way of identifying handcuffs? Do you have special markings? Is that the case with these ones found on his hands. Were you able to determine if they were assigned to anybody from the department?”

Chris Noble

“Our investigators are on the ground, one. Two, that there are specific markings will be revealed based on the investigation that I can’t see at this point they were or that a series number would have led us back to a policeman. We need to understand that some items or items that are found with persons are readily available on the open market.”

Usher’s Sister Says Raheem Was Not Threatened

Meanwhile, Keixa Usher, the victim’s sister, told News Five that the family had no idea if he had been threatened or intimidated before he went missing in late January. She shared that her brother, a father of a five-year-old, would stay in Libertad when he found work in Corozal and then travel back to Hattieville to stay with their mom. Although the family is heartbroken by the discovery of his body, they are grateful to finally have some closure.

On the phone: Keixa Usher, Sister of Deceased

“We are trying to put our hearts at peace that at least we found him. At least they didn’t just throw him in the water because he was right by a river. At least we found the body and we can lay my brother to rest. That’s our greatest concern and that’s really all we are focusing on at the moment.”

Marion Ali

“Had he indicated at any time that his life was in danger or he was fearful of somebody trying to harm him?”

On the phone: Keixa Usher

“No ma’am, Rahim didn’t mention anything like that to me. I don’t know what the police are saying at the moment. I have no leads as it relates to them. I just know that the body was found this morning and identified by my dad.”

Elmer Nah Fires Godfrey Smith as His Attorney!

After Elmer Nah’s shocking motion in court to fire his attorney, Senior Counsel Godfrey Smith, we haven’t been able to reach the lawyer he now claims is representing him—Trinidadian Peter Taylor. Taylor is currently back home and, according to the bombshell dropped by accused murderer Elmer Nah in the High Court, Smith is no longer his lawyer. When we arrived at the court this afternoon, the decision had already been made, as Smith was seen exiting the building through the back. When asked about the situation, Smith simply said that nothing was happening today and no adjournment date had been set, before quickly leaving. Minutes later, we discovered that just five minutes before Smith’s rapid exit, the case had been adjourned after Nah fired him. The matter is now set for a Case Management Conference on March thirteenth, 2025. In open court, Smith mentioned hearing rumors about his representation of Nah and sought clarification. Nah, appearing virtually from a cell at the Belize Central Prison, confirmed that he is now represented by attorney Peter Taylor and his team. If Peter Taylor’s name sounds familiar, it’s because he is also representing William “Danny” Mason in his kidnapping case, set for trial in late April. After getting clarification, Smith left the court, now knowing he is no longer representing Nah. The announcement shocked the court, including the judge, who allowed the adjournment and set the new date. Peter Taylor, who was called to the bar just a day earlier, made his first court appearance as Danny Mason’s attorney on January thirtieth, 2025. He was accompanied by a legal team that included senior research officer Eustace Warner and instructing attorney Nehanda Samuels. Despite several attempts to reach Taylor via email, we have not received any response from him up to news time.