Yesterday we reported on two armed robberies at sea which took place 15 miles south of Belize. Tonight, the reports are that there were actually three fishing boats that were robbed at gunpoint of their catch, fuel, and in one case the robbers took possession of one of the fishing boats, a 23 footer named "Karisha".
The incidents happened within 4 hours of each other, and the Coast Guard who's been working with the Police to investigate them, says there is an interesting twist to the story. They believe the string of sea robberies, is a case of Fishermen robbing Fishermen.
Jim McFadzean
"How many robbers at sea were involved and the timeline?"
Commander Elton Bennett, Acting Commander, BNCG
"There were three robberies reported and two were reported directly to the police and the third one was reported straight to the Coast Guard headquarters. The first robbery was reported around 6:30 and all three robberies occured within 3 to 4 hours of each other."
Jim McFadzean
"Have you determined the motive for all three robberies? And have you determine if all three robberies where done by the same group of men?"
Commander Elton Bennett, Acting Commander, BNCG
"I would believe that the robbers were looking for marine products, the three targets were fishermen and on all three occasions they stole marine products, fuel and a small amount of cash from the three vessels that they robbed."
"We know exactly who we are looking for, we know the name of the vessel, we know the names of the crew of that vessel, we know their address in Belize City and we know exactly where they operate from."
Jim McFadzean
"Might these same men have involve in previous types of robberies at sea?"
Commander Elton Bennett, Acting Commander, BNCG
"Quite possible, one of those individuals' names popped up in about a years ago in a similar case, just off the coast of Blue Field Range. Also we believe that it's maybe a recurring incident."
Jim McFadzean
"And Commander, how common are these types of robberies at sea?"
Commander Elton Bennett, Acting Commander, BNCG
"Not that common, we are looking at robbery, we're looking at people looking for marine products, it's not that common, they are fishermen and they rob other fishermen of their products. So from time to time we get reports but not as much as three robberies in one single evening. But also we need to be careful, it's not a case of piracy, it's a case of robbery. It could have international implications if we use the term piracy. So at this time we would like to classify the three incidents as robbery."
Jim McFadzean
"And when would you classify such robberies at sea as piracy?"
Commander Elton Bennett, Acting Commander, BNCG
"Piracy would occur in high seas, in international waters so in this case it was 8 miles to 10 miles south of Belize City."
Jim McFadzean
"What have you recovered so far in all three of the robberies?"
Commander Elton Bennett, Acting Commander, BNCG
"We manage to recover the sailing vessel that was stolen during the robbery and we manage to receive a lot of information, a lot of intelligence towards location these men that we believe are responsible for this robbery."
"We are doing joint operations and intelligences gathering along with the CIB from the police, as a matter of fact this morning we commence doing a joint operation targeting the location where we believe these fishermen operate from. As a result we were clearly notified that the robbery made their way into Belize City and we know exactly where they went."
"Mariners need to pay keen attention especially at this time, Christmas time as mention we believe the robbers were looking for marine products to turn into cash, so mariners in general needs to be very cautious in their where about and especially at night, where they're anchoring where're navigating through and any other vessel that would be approaching them."
Bennett says the men suspected of the armed robberies are the same ones who were only last month charged with the possession of undersize marine products, and were charged with several violations. The men went to court and subsequently paid a fine. The 23 footer "Karisha" that was recovered has since been returned to its owner. Bennet says the Coast Guard along with the BDF and Police maritime wings have stepped up their presence at sea especially in the Belize harbor.
