Photo: (l to r) Elmer Nah, Manuel Caliz and Epifania Caliz
by Kristen Ku
BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Oct. 19, 2023
In a recent court ruling on October 19, Elmer Nah, Epifania Caliz, and Manuel Caliz were declared not guilty of ammunition-related charges, marking a significant development in a case that has captured public attention.
The case dates back to an incident that occurred on November 2021, when Elmer Nah, a former police officer who is presently on charge for a triple homicide; Manuel Caliz, a former police officer; and Epifania Caliz, were arrested by local authorities. They were charged with possession of unlicensed ammunition after police reportedly discovered a stash of firearms, ammunition, and bulletproof vests inside a vehicle they were traveling in shortly after the landing of a drug plane near Bladen Village, Toledo.
Police believed the accused had assisted with the landing of the plane.
The defense argued that the ammunition found in the vehicle did not belong to the accused individuals, and that they had no knowledge of its presence.
After careful deliberation and a thorough review of the evidence presented, the court reached its verdict, acquitting Elmer Nah, Epifania Caliz, and Manuel Caliz of the ammunition charges.
Dickie Bradley, the attorney for Elmer Nah, Epifania Caliz, and Manuel Caliz, shared with reporters his reaction to the verdict.
“We are not at all surprised that a court of law, once again in our country, has shown that you can get justice. The police were wrong from the get-go to charge all three persons and have them subjected to what they were subjected to. You all know that when they charge you for ammunition and firearms, you automatically go to jail. The time has come for that law to be amended. If the police make you sign out for the gun or no sign out, that is an internal matter. We’re talking about a criminal charge that will land you in jail for a minimum of five years. These are two different things,” he stated.
The head of the prosecution branch, Alifa Elrington, was not in agreement with the verdict.
According to Senior Magistrate Baja Shoman, Nah and the Caliz siblings were protected under section 33 of the laws of Belize.
“Section 33 is specific that you are in possession of a firearm if you’re going to be doing your duty,” Elrington told reporters. She said the accused was in possession of a firearm and he was not on duty, “not on duty with firearm or ammunition that was assigned to him.”
Elrington is contemplating an appeal of the ruling.