Tonight, a couple from the San Martin area in Belmopan has been arrested and charged with aiding and facilitating the movement of Brazilians who had entered Belize illegally via Benque Viejo.
The couple, 33-year-old taxi driver Kirk Andrew Hower and his girlfriend Gracielita Mendez today were charged separately and fined $1000 each after pleading guilty to aiding and facilitating the transport of 12 Brazilians 7 adults and 5 minors in two, perhaps 3 separate vehicles.
Hower was said to be the driver of a red Toyota Corolla, license plate, C-07352 which contained 4 adult Brazilians, identified as 38-year-old Sealite Goncalves Rodrigues, 38, a health Administrator; 37-year-old Douglas Dias Moreira,; 42-year-old Eliete Grizote Celestino and, Rogelio Simplicio Dos Santos.
Gomez was likewise said to be the driver of a blue Nitro rental vehicle which contained 3 adults, identified as 38-year-old Ellizama De Lima Rodrigues, an Administrator; 31-year-old Sylvania Aline Da Silva, 31, a beautician; 29-year-old, Renata Lorraine Silva Lino and 5 minors.
And tonight the cops are looking for another man thought to have absconded who is also expected to be charged. His vehicle, also thought to have been used in the transport of the Brazilians, is currently impounded.
In court, the couple's attorney John Nembhard argued that they are law-abiding citizens who simply made an error in their judgment and are sorry for their actions.
