SANTA CRUZ, Orange Walk District, Tues. June 9, 2020– Mexican national Abel Galvan Barron, 45, a butcher of Subteniente Lopez, Chetumal, Mexico, who is now living in Calcutta, Corozal District, was caught crossing into Belize by a BDF/police patrol that is stationed in Santa Cruz to prevent illegal border crossings into Belize from Botes, Mexico, which is just 5 minutes away, across the Rio Hondo River.

The incident occurred yesterday evening in Santa Cruz. Barron had just crossed the river in a boat into Santa Cruz when he was caught by the patrol.

According to CTV3 News in Orange Walk, Barron told police that he went to Chetumal to retrieve his clothes and documents that he had forgotten, and was coming back.

He was taken to the police station, where he was handed over to the Ministry of Health, which placed him in mandatory quarantine for 14 days, during which he will be monitored for the COVID-19 virus.

When Barron is released into police custody, he will face charges for violation of the Emergency Powers Regulations, which carries a fine of $5,000 or a 3-year prison sentence, as well as for illegal entry into Belize, which carries a $1,000 fine, which is to be paid immediately, or a 6-month imprisonment will be imposed.

The border between Belize and Mexico is closed in an attempt to combat the importation of the COVID-19 virus, and the border between Belize and Guatemala is also closed.

The Belize authorities continue to remind members of the Belizean public not to go to Mexico or Guatemala due to the large number of COVID-19 cases in those countries.

Feature photo: Abel Galvan Barron