ComPol Williams on Joseph Budna’s Arrest 

Police Commissioner Chester Williams addressed the media this morning regarding the recent arrest of controversial individual Joseph Budna. As we have been reporting, Budna has been arrested, charged, and arraigned for abetment to murder. He appeared in the Belmopan Magistrate Court where he claimed that “They are trying to get rid of me.”

Budna was charged in relation to a murder that occurred in 2021, three years ago.

When asked about it, Williams told reporters that a specialised team of investigators has been diligently working on cold cases, including the stabbing murder of Guatemalan national Armando Coy Cacao, with which Budna has been charged.

“I assembled a team of specialized investigators from Special Branch, Major Crime, CIB, and GI3,” stated Commissioner Williams. “I tasked them with reviewing past murders, particularly in the Cayo and Belize district areas where we have the State of Emergency. Their job is to re-interview witnesses, examine video footage, review statements, and see what additional work can be done to identify the perpetrators of these murders.”

According to Williams, the team, led by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Dawson, has made commendable progress.

“They also solved the Coleman murder in Belmopan. Additionally, Budna has been charged with abetment to murder in another case. The principal offender in that case had left the country and was reportedly killed in Honduras,” Williams shared.

“We were able to arrest Budna based on evidence suggesting his involvement in the crime,” he added.