This morning, the badly decomposed body of a male person was discovered along the shores of Lark Caye, just off the coast of the Placencia Peninsula. Information to News Five is that the owner of the island along with several individuals took a trip to the island today. While there a couple men from the group came across the unidentified body. We are told that local authorities were immediately informed of the discovery. As a result, a team of police and coast guard officers visited the scene and transported the body to the mainland. Video captured near a pier in Placencia shows authorities placing the body in the back of a police mobile, before it was carted off. An official police report is yet to be released. We will continue to follow this discovery.
Tag: 2024-08-22
Police Department Destroys $452,000 Worth of Cannabis
Today, the Belize Police Department carried out the destruction of over five hundred pounds of cannabis. The drugs were seized during a police operation earlier this month in Dangriga Town. The operation led to the discovery of several barrels containing the cannabis. With the approval of the Dangriga Magistrate Court, the drugs were destroyed at an undisclosed location. Deputy Commissioner of Police, Doctor Richard Rosado says it all comes in at a total value of four hundred thousand dollars.
Dr. Richard Rosado, Deputy Commissioner of Police
“In Accordance twenty-seven, one of the Misuse of Drugs Subsidiary Act Chapter One Zero Three of the laws of Belize, an application was made to the court to the Magistrate in Dangriga for an order for the destruction of five hundred and three point seven pounds of cannabis. The Magistrate having being satisfied that destroying the drugs can proceed without prejudice to any criminal proceedings granted the order.”
Reporter
“Why is it important what we are doing here today and the significance of it?”
Dr. Richard Rosado
“The regulation twenty-seven two stipulates that whenever there is an order for the drug destruction that a magistrate must witness the destruction, a justice of the peace, a senior police officer and the government forensic chemist. This is done in order to ensure that what is being destroyed is what was actually seized in the operation in Dangriga. The estimated value of the drugs being destroyed today is approximately four hundred and fifty-two thousand dollars.”
What does the future hold for the start of the 2024-2025 Sugar Crop?
On Wednesday, we heard from the Director of Finance, Shawn Chavarria, on a record high second payment for sugarcane farmers. At the end of the 2023, 2024 season just over one million tons of sugarcane was delivered to the mill from which one hundred and two thousand tons of sugar were produced. But what does the future hold for the start of the 2024, 2025 season given the less-than-ideal start to the last season? That question was posed to Chavarria. Here is what he had to say.
Shawn Chavarria, Director of Finance, ASR/ BSI
“I think the probability for a smooth start for the coming 2024-2025 crop is looking more favorable. The agreement signed with the B.S.C.F.A. in January was for two crops, not just one. So, there is a better chance that there will be a smoother start this year, weather permitting. I think more you will see a challenge for the 2025-2026 crop if an agreement is not reached with the B.S.C.F.A. But, I think for this upcoming crop, it is looking more favorable that we should be able to have a smooth start without any interruptions, providing the weather is cooperating.”
Elijah Noralez Eyes America’s Got Talent
The Bliss Center for the Performing Arts will come alive next week Tuesday night for KTV the Remix Season Six finale. Three contestants battled it out on stage this past Tuesday. Fans have up until Sunday to vote for their favorite contestant. The winner will be announced at the finale. Ahead of that show, we will be featuring each of the three finalists in our nightly newscast to learn more about who they are and their musical journey. News Five’s Paul Lopes travelled down to Harmonyville today to speak with Elijah Noralez. He brings us that story.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Twenty-four-year-old Elijah Noralez is one of the three finalists in KTV the Remix Season Six. Today, we stopped by his Harmonyville residence to learn more about his passion for music and his journey in this year’s competition.
Elijah Noralez, KTV the Remix Finalist
“I use to sing on the way to preschool. My aunty use to tell me that all the time. I use to sing the whole entire trip to preschool and that is probably where that started. I think that comes from a long line of musicians and musically inclined people in my family. My dad said he use to sing to us when we were in the womb. So, from I was very young and just the lineage, I think that is how I started.”
Paul Lopez
“Do you recall those moments growing up singing with your sister and your family?”
“Yeah, I think those would be some of the most memorable moments in my childhood. We have done a lot of small stuff on TV and a lot of stuff. We have been on the stage before. She was the one that brought me into this singing thing. She is really the one that influenced me the most.”
Elijah Noralez
“I was giving up on singing around the age of sixteen to eighteen. It is not something I would generally pushed in Belize. It is something that I just backed off on. I was not singing at all. I said let us do this thing, so how we can go from here. It has been successful. I think I have gathered a lot of support and I am thankful for that. I have done a lot of small karaoke events, Double O’s Restaurant, Millers Depot, and OI have a lot of people bombarding me with text saying I want to vote for you, how do I vote, sending money and stuff like that. It has been a journey. Being in that battle round is nothing nice, because you could get a song you cant sing and you just get eliminated right there and then. The whole dream is cut short. I knew that week I was going to be in the battle round because I couldn’t do any karaoke because my voice was messed up.”
Off the stage and away his job at Acquity BPO, Elijah Noralez can be found with a weedwhacker or machete in hand working on his family’s farmland. He told us about the most fulfilling and the most challenging parts of his KTV the Remix journey.
“Just the words of encouragement that people bring. People are telling me that you should just be full on take this on as a career, the messages, the support is so overwhelming, nothing like I have ever experienced before.”
Paul Lopez
“For you what has been one of the greatest challenges?”
Elijah Noralez
“I am very anxious about a lot of stuff. Sometimes I struggle with a lot of anxiety. So to perform in front of a lot of people. When I was young, I use to stand up with my hand in my pocket and I sing. Going from that I feel has been a very, it has been scary, because people make fun of you and it is a bit scary, I don’t like negative feedback, so that has been one of the hardest things for me.”
Andazi Panton, KTV The Remix Jude
“I will keep saying, you just do not imitate. You are always yourself. That is something that is so very special about you.”
Elijah Noralez
“For me it is not much of a show. It is just to captivate the people with my voice and see how I can get them to feel the song. It is not about the stuff around, the background noise. It is just so you can hear and feel the song. When I am up there I am feeling the song. It is going through me and I am feeling all these emotions.”
Elijah Noralez
“People think I am cocky. The way I present myself on stage and the way I answer questions, it is not to be cocky. It is just to entice people and entertain. People think I have vocal training, I don’t. this is all just me listening to YouTube, listening to my mom and dad. Just listening to people around me. I have a lot of confidence in what I am able to do but I am also open to the criticism and stuff like that.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
Ministry Suspends Caricom Youth Ambassador Amidst Rape Allegations
The Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Transport addressed recent serious allegations against Caricom Youth Ambassador, Kenroy Cal, who is also the chairman of Red Bank Village. In a press release, the Ministry expressed concerns about these accusations and emphasised its “strict zero-tolerance policy towards any form of sexual violence, including rape.”
The Ministry says it is monitoring the legal process closely and supports the law taking its course.
While the investigation is ongoing, the Ministry has decided to terminate Cal’s ambassadorial duties. This measure aims to maintain the integrity of the process and focus on the well-being of all involved.
The Ministry urges the public to respect the legal proceedings and allow a thorough investigation.
Construction Worker Charged with Double Murder in Hattieville
In connection with the brutal murders of Joel Andrews and Martin Sho police have arrested and formally charged 22-year-old Ian Roy Herrera, a Belizean construction worker from Hattieville Village, Belize District, with two counts of murder. Back in October 2023, the victims were discovered on a farm near mile seventeen on the George Price Highway, both suffering from chop wounds and gunshot injuries.
The police were alerted to the scene after receiving a tip about an aggravated burglary that had escalated into a double homicide. The investigation suggests that robbery was the primary motive behind the murders. It is believed that the suspects targeted Andrews for a robbery, as his home was found ransacked and his firearm likely stolen.
Over 500 Pounds of Cannabis Destroyed
Richard Rosado, Deputy Commissioner of Police, confirmed the destruction of 503.7 pounds of cannabis, worth approximately $452,000. This action is part of the legal process to handle drug evidence.
Rosado explained today that a magistrate in Dangriga granted the order following an application made to the court under Regulation 27(1) of the Misuse of Drugs, Subsidiary Act, Chapter 103 of the Laws of Belize.
He also noted that Regulation 27(2) mandates that the destruction of drugs be overseen by a magistrate, a justice of the peace, a senior police officer, and a government forensic chemist. This ensures that the drugs being destroyed are indeed those seized during the operation.
Mpox Rumours Debunked by Health Ministry as CARPHA Calls for Increased Regional Vigilance
Rumours of two Mpox cases in the Cayman Islands are spreading widely, but the Ministry of Health and Wellness has firmly refuted these claims. The ministry clarified that this information is false, not issued by them, and urged the public to rely on accurate sources for information.
Currently, there are no reported cases of clade I Mpox in the Caribbean. The region’s limited travel links to affected areas help minimise the immediate risk. However, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) is advising increased vigilance.
Dr. Lisa Indar, Ad Interim Executive Director at CARPHA, commented, “CARPHA is monitoring the situation closely. The current risk to the Caribbean population from Mpox clade 1b is low to moderate, as no cases of Mpox have been identified in the CARPHA Member States. However, the identification of the first case of clade 1b outside of Africa is a warning call for public health authorities to be vigilant and necessitates enhanced surveillance by all Caribbean countries, inclusive of monitoring of incoming passengers, and rapid/early identification of potential cases, and a well-coordinated regional and international response.”
Earlier in the week, Dr. Melissa Dias-Musa, Belize’s Director of Public Health and Wellness, announced the re-sensitisation of healthcare teams in the country following the Mpox public health emergency declaration.
Meanwhile, Jamaica’s Minister of Health & Wellness, Dr. Christopher Tufton, convened a meeting today with the technical team from the Ministry and the four regional health authorities in preparation for the possible re-introduction of Mpox in the country. Dr. Tufton emphasised that “in non-endemic countries, such as Jamaica, one case is considered an outbreak.”
Nigel Petillo: “Uno Left Mi Ma Lone!”
Grassroots activist Nigel Petillo is receiving public criticism after it was revealed that his mother, Naomi Petillo, bought a 0.6-acre lot on Forest Drive in Belmopan from RECONDEV for $78,000 and later sold it to Ceiba Grove LLP. for hundreds of thousands of dollars. The Lands Department valued the land at $548,000
Naomi Petillo received the title to the land in March 2022.
Nigel had recently come out against the government’s decision to purchase a fifteen-acre tract of land to be used as the site for the controversial university hospital.
Two leaked documents reveal that a parcel of land, originally purchased from the Reconstruction and Development Corporation (RECONDEV) in July 2018, is now being sold to the Government of Belize for a staggering amount. Businessman Kenny Zheng and Annie Hong Zu acquired the land for $450,000. Now, that same property is being sold to the Ministry of Natural Resources for an astonishing $7 million.
Petillo told News Five, “I can’t speak on my mother’s transaction. My name is no where on that transactions.” He stressed that it was a private transaction. “This is not a government tax payers transaction. This has nothing to do with government money.”
He ended, “Bwai uno left mi ma lone.”
UB Board of Trustees Expresses Disappointment Over GoB’s Decision on University Hospital Location
In a letter dated August 19, 2024, the Chairman of the University of Belize (UB) Board of Trustees, Godfrey Smith, addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding the proposed University Hospital’s location. The letter reflects concerns raised during a Board meeting held on March 26, 2024, where the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) suggested relocating the hospital to a site other than UB’s lands.
According to Smith, the MOHW presented several reasons for its preference to build the hospital on alternative land. The Ministry indicated that discussions were already underway with the Ministry of Natural Resources to secure a location that would better meet their requirements for access and infrastructure.
The proposal sparked a heated debate among the Board members, with many trustees, including Smith, strongly advocating for the hospital to be built on UB’s land. Despite the Board’s united stance, the ultimate decision rested with the MOHW and the Government of Belize.
Smith noted that since the meeting, Prime Minister John Briceño and other government officials have publicly confirmed that the Cabinet has decided to proceed with the MOHW’s recommendation. The chosen site for the hospital will be on land purchased by the government from private interests, a decision that has left the UB Board expressing its disappointment.
While Smith acknowledged the Board’s strong feelings on the matter, he emphasised that it is not within the Board’s remit to hold the government accountable for this decision or to scrutinise the implications of the government’s actions. He suggested that such responsibilities lie with the media, civil society organisations, and the people of Belize.
Smith concluded by reaffirming the Board’s commitment to having the university hospital built on UB’s land. He also expressed openness to a proposal that the government gift the purchased land to UB should it maintain its decision to build the hospital elsewhere. This issue is expected to be a key agenda item at the upcoming Board of Trustees meeting scheduled for September 11, 2024.