Finally tonight charges have been laid against the captain of the Panamanian vessel that brought 55 thousand gallons of contraband diesel fuel into Belizean waters with bogus documents. It was reportedly commissioned by a major local distributor of fuel - who ran red lights when he did not get the proper clearance from Customs or the Department of the Environment. Turns out, the fuel cargo wasn't even declared - or at least that's what customs is alleging tonight.
The Attorney General updated us on the case this morning - and we asked him what was the delay:
Anthony Sylvester, Attorney General
"So as it relates to that matter I got an update from the Customs Department this morning and so charges should be laid and the master should be charged. And if not today they should be arraigned soon thereafter no."
Jo-
"So what is your advice to customs and DOE?"
Anthony Sylvester, Attorney General
"Well, I would not be able to provide that publicly as you would appreciate that there are persons who obviously have interest in this vessel and cargo and so we have to take it incrementally. Charges will be laid. The master will be arraigned. And as it relates to the steps Customs will take, they will certainly cease the vessel and as well make an application thereafter of which the vessels and the cargo. There are other agencies that would possibly lay charges including the police, sorry the Belize Port Authority."
And today in the Independence Magistrate's Court, Venezuelan Captain of the Humilde Viajero, Carlos Tomas Rivas Rodriguez, 55, was denied bail and remanded to prison.
He was deemed a flight risk and was slapped with two offenses- failure to provide advance cargo information and recklessly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of the laws and restriction of customs relating to the importation of goods. Rodriguez pleaded not guilty to both charges and his next court date is set for April 20, 2026.
He appeared with his attorney, Leeroy Banner while the Prosecutor was Tracey Sosa, the legal counsel for Customs.
It was alleged in court that the clearance document filed on behalf of the vessel said it was not carrying cargo when actually it was found with 53,280 gallons of diesel fuel with a market value of $642,024.00.
