He had been operating what are known as "sniper runs" in Belize City, but tonight Carlos Lopez can no longer operate his buses in the King's Park and Belama areas. That stop order comes from the Magistrate's Court where he today appeared after one of his buses was impounded. On Wednesday evening the bus was impounded in the Belama area, the driver was arrested and charged and he today appeared in Magistrate's Court. Lopez explains that the stop order is a personal business disaster for him.
Carlos Lopez,
"The bus was held at the Police Station from Wednesday, Thursday, and today is Friday morning. I went to court this morning at 9 o'clock, the driver was released of the charges and the Magistrate told me that the bus was held illegally. I personally as a Belizean is going to take action."
Alfonso Noble,
You're operating a bus without a road service permit?
Carlos Lopez,
"Yes I am operating the bus without the road service permit but that does not give him the right to hold the bus illegally."
Alfonso Noble,
You are doing something illegal though.
Carlos Lopez,
"It is illegal but they should give you a summons or a ticket, there is no way they should arrest and impound the bus."
Alfonso Noble,
Are you going to continue to run these buses illegally?
Carlos Lopez,
"Well to be honest with you, I was just informed officially by the Magistrate that I cannot operate the bus."
Lopez says that he is still trying to apply for licenses to run his shuttles and that the transport board will meet next week to consider his applications.
