On April 16, 2011, a Statutory Instrument was passed classifying materials made substantially of copper, aluminum and bronze as a prohibited material.
On May 17, 2011, police arrested eight persons at the Maya Recycling Company, located at Mile 8, Western Highway and have since charged three persons with two counts for the offense of “kept prohibited material,” and five counts of employing non-Belizeans.
Police say that they found on the property 963.5 pounds of copper and 755 pounds of aluminum materials.
The three persons charged are all permanent residents: director of the company, Wilfredo Cocom, 34, Columbian; manager, Juan Carlos Dussan Cuellar, 35; and supervisor, Lina Cariolina Nino, 31. They were additionally charged by the Belize Immigration Department on five counts of employing non-Belizeans.
All three persons were arraigned in the Magistrate’s courtroom yesterday, and had all pleaded not guilty to all of the above charges; despite the prosecution’s objection to bail for Cocom and Nino, based solely on the premise that they are potential flight risks, Elston Kaseke, the attorney for the accused, argued that there is no indication that his clients, who hold legal status and employment in this country, will flee.
The evidence given by Kaseke was substantial enough for the Magistrate to allow for bail, but specifying certain conditions for Cocom and Nino. All three were granted bail of $10,000 each, themselves and a surety. Cocom and Nino are to hand over their travel documents and are to report to the clerk of court.
Police say that on Tuesday, May 17, 2011, at about 8:48 a.m. a search was conducted at the Mile 8, Mayan Recycling Company, where they found five persons, five non-residents, who were all suspected employees of the three accused.
Cocom, Nino and Cuellar all met their bail and were released; they will reappear in court on August 16, 2011.