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Nephew of UDP deputy leader busted with drugs

GeneralNephew of UDP deputy leader busted with drugs

LADYVILLE, Belize District, Tues. May 11, 2021.– On Tuesday, May 11, the police intercepted a large drug trafficking operation that was underway in the village of Ladyville. During the police’s search, they found 63 pounds of marijuana in vehicles allegedly being driven by 30-year-old Ian Patt, 56-year-old John Edwin Bowen, and 43-year-old Eustace Oswaldo Andrews, who were all jointly charged for possession of controlled drugs.

Ian Patt is reportedly the nephew of former Deputy Prime Minister and current deputy leader of the UDP, Hugo Patt. Furthermore, an investigation revealed that the parliamentarian, Hon. Patt, is the registered owner of the vehicle that was used in the alleged smuggling operation. That vehicle has since been confiscated by police.

According to reports, sometime before 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 11, police saw Ian Patt carrying a heavy plastic container from his freight-liner truck across Scissors Tail Street in Ladyville village. Bowen and Andrews later picked it up and attempted to put it in a Chevrolet Trailblazer. When the police investigated the situation, they found 27 bricks of marijuana that totaled 63 pounds in weight.

Richard “Dickie” Bradley, who is the attorney representing the suspected drug traffickers, explained to the media that only 3 of the persons involved have been charged. Two were charged with drug possession for the purpose of “doing business” and the other for supplying it.

The defendants made a motion in the court for bail and believed that the Magistrate had no legal reasons for denying them. Nonetheless, the Magistrate denied the suspected perpetrators bail and remanded them to prison until July 15, 2021. Bradley believes that the defendants will appeal in the Supreme Court and is confident that this decision will be reversed.

Hon. Hugo Patt also issued a public comment on the situation. He said he knew nothing of his nephew’s involvement in drug trafficking. He further explained that his vehicle’s intended use was for the transport of cane from the various sugarcane fields to Tower Hill and ASR. Hon. Patt said he had no knowledge of what was being transported in his vehicle and he simply had been rendering a service for the sugar industry. Patt has since been cooperating with the Police Department in their investigation.

Unconfirmed reports are also indicating that Ian Patt had allegedly worked at the Belize Water Services, but was ultimately let go after being suspected of using the company’s vehicle for illicit activities.

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