Tonight, information reaching 7News is that there was an escape from Immigration Officials about 17 days ago.
We understand that on October 1st, 6 persons arrived at the Philip Goldson International Airport on a Copa Airlines Flight. These passengers arrived from the Dominican Republic and Uganda, and according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, and Immigration, they were not granted leave to land in Belize. That's because they did not meet basic requirements for entry into the country.
7News understand that they were placed in the custody of 3 immigration officers, who were supposed to stand guard over them until their repatriation flight, which was scheduled for the following day. Reports are that 3 of the travelers from the Dominican Republic escaped from the immigration officials. Our best information suggests that there was some degree of inattention by the immigration officials- who were reportedly seen socialising by the hotel pool - and the 3 persons simply left as though they were free to go.
Official comment on the matter says, quote, "The Ministry notes the magnitude of this situation and has been addressing the situation by conducting an investigation into the matter."
When we inquired about our reports that the escape happened due to inattention, Gilroy Middleton, the CEO of the Ministry of Immigration told us, that their investigation is in the initial stages. He added that the matter is being conducted with due process, as outlined under the Public Service Regulations.
