And now the ComPol should have more time to focus on other areas of crime fighting, especially since the police now have to be on the lookout for one more thing, and that's sugar smugglers.
Yesterday we told you that the cops intercepted a truck full of sugar that may have been destined for Guatemala. But Williams said it's a little more complicated than that, because in the west, Guatemalan sugar was caught within Belize's borders. He explained more.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"The issue with the sugar truck in the north, it's a very complex one. While yes, we have established that the sugar was purchased from BSI by a person who is legally authorized to purchase from BSI. That person has a quota and he purchased his entire quota. That person then sold the sugar to two individuals who are of Guatemala nationality. The grey area is that they were found in Orange Walk district. While we may all say that the intent was to export the sugar, it is difficult to prove because they were found well within Belize's territory. I don't believe that the sugar was going to Independence, that's my personal opinion, I don't believe it, but it is not about what I believe, it is about whether or not there is sufficient evidence to prove otherwise. At this time, there is none. I have consulted with the Ministry of Agriculture and they are saying that in order for a person to export sugar, they must apply for an export permit which is issued to them to be able to export sugar. But in the current climate where there is a shortage of sugar, they're not issuing export permit for sugar, so there is no way that those individuals would have been able to export the sugar legally. Perhaps, illegally, yes, so because of the circumstances under which the sugar is found we are unable to do anything and it will have to be returned to them. And what will have to happen is that we will have to monitor them and see what they do with the sugar."
Courtney Menzies:
"What can you tell us about the sugar that was found in the port office truck?"
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"Police from Benque were conducted a checkpoint on the George Price Highway when they intercepted a post office van. The van was searched and it yielded three sacks of white sugar form Guatemala along with other contraband items. The van and its driver were taken into police custody and Customs has been called in and they will be handed over to Customs who will then deal with the matter from there."
