ORANGE WALK TOWN, Fri. Aug. 14, 2020– Today, an operation was carried out by police in Douglas, Santa Cruz and San Victor — three villages along the Mexico-Belize border in the Orange Walk District, and 23 canoes believed to be used to facilitate contraband running and border-jumping, were impounded and taken to the Orange Walk Police Station — thus denying the contraband runners and the border-jumpers the use of their boats to conduct their illegal activities.
A number of residents of the Orange Walk community lined the streets to see the spectacle as the canoes were pulled on wheeled platforms through the streets and sirens blared. Many of them appeared to be pleased with the bold actions of the police.
Police Commissioner Chester Williams confirmed that police took the canoes out of the area. He said that any other boat seen in any of the villages in the area will likewise be taken away, to make the illegal activities cease.
Border-jumping and contraband running are seen as a direct threat to the health and stability of the country. The illegal activities contributed to the spread of the COVID-19 virus within the country.
In speaking to the media, Commissioner Williams said that border-jumping and contraband running are being taken seriously, and there will be no room for compromising, or negotiation. Police will forcefully go after those who participate in the illegal activities hard until they understand that there is no “playing” with them, that police are serious, and that they must cease their activities, said Williams.
Legislation which puts in place harsher penalties for border jumpers, contraband-runners, and even those who purchase contraband goods, were passed in the House of Representatives today. Bail can no longer be granted by a magistrate for those charged with contraband running and border-jumping. Application for bail must now be made in the Supreme Court. Those who purchase contraband goods will be subject to penalties that are similar to those that the persons who actually brought the goods into the country will face.
For those caught for the first time, there will be an immediate 6-month prison sentence, if they are found guilty.