Over the past few days, reports have been zinging around that the Customs Department busted a package with anywhere between $200,000 and as much as four million dollars. In the context of the pseudo-ephedrine busts, it seemed plausible, but turns out, that the figure was greatly exaggerated.
Here’s what happened: sometime between two thirty and three on Tuesday Belize Customs seized a package that had arrived in one of several barrels from the United States. The box was filled to the top with a variety of household items and everything seemed to be normal until Customs officers reached into the bottom of a carton box and started looking inside two small boxes. They found a total of a total of US$32,510 hidden in two plastic bags and a box of
Crest toothpaste. The money which was in small denominations of 5, 10, 20 and fifty dollar bills was wrapped in bundles of foil paper.
The package was addressed to one Sydney Ellis, a resident of the King’s Park area who had used the well known Joseph Freight service to ship his barrel to Belize. The matter is now being investigated by Customs, the Police and the Financial Intelligence Unit. Because of the way it was sent, and the way the cash was broken down into small bills, authorities believe the money is related to illicit activity.
Today we caught up with the freight service owner Rolando Montero. He collects barrels from Belizeans living in the USA and sends them to Belize. He told 7NEWS it was the first time that someone has taken advantage of the service he has been providing to Belizean families for years. Fearing for his safety, Rolando Montero did not wish to appear on camera but told us when the discovery was made he could not believe what was found.
Rolando Montero, Freight Service Owner
“You never know what people are sending. You take their trust that what they are telling you is in the boxes but you have good intelligence from the Customs for them to cross check what’s in the container or in the boxes or barrels or whatever people send.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
So when you came yesterday to clear the barrels and you were told this is what was discovered in one of the barrels, what was your immediate reaction?
Rolando Montero,
“Well I didn’t know. I was there when they were inspecting the cargo which they are always doing when they come so they are present when they are opening the boxes or the barrels and unfortunately one of the boxes had some U.S. dollars in it.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
But when you saw them opening this box and you saw what was inside the box what was your reaction?
Rolando Montero,
“I was very shocked.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
You started fretting profusely?
Rolando Montero,
“Like anybody else.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
The package was sent to one Mr. Ellis, have you been in touch with Ellis?
Rolando Montero,
“I actually called him this afternoon to inform him that Customs hold back the box because it contains some money. He said he will be coming in to deal with the matter.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
Is there any step you can take in order to protect this type of service you provide?
Rolando Montero,
“It would be something very tedious. I will have to do just like what Customs do, do random checks on the boxes before they leave the States.”
No one at Customs would talk to us specifically about the ongoing investigation only telling 7NEWS that because the money was not declared by its owner. More than likely Sydney Ellis will be charged for not complying with the regulations of the importation of currency. However 7NEWS understands that authorities do not believe the money was any savings rather sources tell us that the US$32,510 was money paid for drug sales and destined for a specific Belize City group. According to Customs officials none of the items will be returned to its owner because the household stuff including the money will be used as evidence in the case.
