by Charles Gladden
BELIZE CITY, Thurs. June 15, 2023
Around the world, it is an unethical practice for an enforcement officer to accept or solicit bribes from persons who have committed offenses in exchange for allowing them to go “scot-free”. Due to a recent incident of that nature in southern Belize, a female transport officer has been charged with extortion.
The incident took place last Wednesday, June 7. According to reports, 34-year-old Diaris Tepas of San Roman Village, Stann Creek District, was driving a Chevy Equinox on Savannah Road in Independence Village when she was stopped by several transport officers at a checkpoint.
When Tepas’s vehicle was inspected, it was discovered that her car was not insured, and as a result the officers informed Tepas that she would be charged. They then, however, allegedly offered her a way to avoid the charges. They told her that she could pay $500 and she would be let go.
Tepas’ husband then gave an officer $50 wrapped in white paper, along with an arrangement to make the rest of the payment so that the charges could be dropped. But before the transaction was made, a report was made to the authorities, who then went to the location and conducted a sting operation and apprehended the three transport officers.
As a result of the operation, 45-year-old Andrea Peters of Pomona Village was charged with extortion.
Amandala reached out to Transport Minister, Hon. Rodwell Ferguson, to seek a comment from him on the incident, but our messages went unanswered. However, he did speak to another media house and remarked that extortion is part of the culture within the country, and that several factors may have contributed to this unethical practice—particularly the low salaries these officers are receiving.