Last week we reported on the capture of a number of Belize suspect pirates in Puerto Cortez Honduras. On Friday the Coast Guard commander gave us an update:
Commander Gregory Soberanis, Commandant, Belize Coast Guard
"I spoke to my staff yesterday and I was informed that they arrive late Wednesday night and Thursday they were processed and that they are now remanded. So I believe that the police will do their due diligence in processing these individuals and with the second phase of this investigation with these coastal pirates."
Reporter
"That's linking them with other crimes that happened here in Belize."
Commander Gregory Soberanis, Commandant, Belize Coast Guard
"Right. Linking them to some of the robberies that have occurred in our southern waters. So I believe that is ongoing. It is now in the hands of the police and like I said I believe the police will do due diligence when it comes to dealing with these coastal pirates. There were 2 main groups, the coast guard along with its key partners GI3, Fisheries Department, Placencia formation, Dangriga formation - we've been collaborating and we've been working diligently in dismantling the core of these criminal networks, but we've also been relentless in pursuing their associates. So what has transpired here is only phase one of our plan, so by no means is this done. By no means is this the end. We will continue to ensure that we follow the leads, we will continue to ensure that no stone is unturn as we try to locate the associates of these individuals and ensure that they are brought to justice."
Soberanis says that the group of Belizean pirates were not processed in Honduras because their case was handled through Interpol.
