PUNTA GORDA, Toledo District, Thurs. Feb. 8, 2018– Police and Immigration officials on routine patrol in the rural villages in the Toledo District, on Wednesday found eight Guatemalans in Santa Ana, who were in Belize illegally.

None of the five adults and three minors in the group had permits to be in the country. The eight persons were taken to the Immigration Department and then they were transferred to the Punta Gorda Police Station, where they were charged with illegal entry and detained.

This morning, Thursday, February 8, the eight Guatemalans were arraigned at the Punta Gorda Magistrate’s Court for the offense of illegal entry. We were informed by the court that five of the adults were taken to court, and they were all found guilty and fined $1,000 and $5 cost of court, to be paid immediately, in default of which they’d be sentenced to 6 months’ imprisonment.

The minors were handed over to the Human Services Department.

We were also informed that the men were unable to pay and have been sent to the Belize Central Prison to begin serving their six-month jail sentence, after which they will be deported to their country.