Police Imprisoned for Extorting Tourist at Checkpoint

Tonight, another police officer finds himself in serious trouble with the law, facing charges of extortion. Jairo Amador, a police constable from Cayo District, stands accused of extorting a Canadian tourist and her husband back in 2022. The tourist, who was in Belize to view properties, alleges that she was pulled over at a checkpoint in Hattieville, where Amador falsely claimed that her rental vehicle was uninsured. He then allegedly told her she would be detained over the weekend unless she provided a “donation.” Out of fear, she handed over one hundred US dollars. The woman also claims that another officer at the booth restrained her husband from intervening during the exchange. After the money was handed over, the couple was allowed to leave. However, the police were alerted to the incident, and the money was found on Amador. Amador contends that he found the money in the bushes while relieving himself. This afternoon, he was found guilty and remanded to prison, with sentencing set for November twenty-fifth, 2024.