The men claimed they were victims of human trafficking
BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Aug. 30, 2018– Back in November 2017, Amandala reported on a strange case of alleged thieves who insisted that they were in fact victims of human trafficking. What transpired was that on September 13, 2017, Jack Charles, a businessman, reportedly sent his employee, Jitendra Kumar, 29, with his Chevy Equinox, to pick up $60,000 from a business in Dangriga.
 Kumar reportedly then met up with his colleague, Keyur Barot, 23, and they both escaped across the border, to Guatemala, where they abandoned the car.
Guatemalan authorities later found the vehicle and returned it to Belize.
Then, on September 23, the two men were seen in Mexico. They were intercepted by Mexican officials who found that they had US$13,000 in their possession. The men were returned in October to Belize, where they were expected to face the charge of theft.
However, they did not face that charge (theft). The men, who are originally from India, claimed they were victims of human trafficking (victims of their employer, Jack Charles), and also alleged that they were treated inhumanely and that they were underpaid.
The men have been held in protective custody since then.
Today, at a police press brief, ACP Joseph Myvette said that the men have been returned to India, while the human trafficking investigation is ongoing. Meanwhile, the theft charges are being held in abeyance.
It was not explained what is the purpose of the investigation, since the men have already been sent back to India.
Prior to the men leaving, their statements were video-recorded in the presence of a Justice of the Peace and a representative from the Department of Human Services. In the event that the human trafficking case goes to trial, Myvette said that in some cases, testimony can be given via Skype.
When asked what would happen to the theft charges if the human trafficking allegations prove to be false, considering that the men are in India, Myvette simply said he did not wish to speculate.