fbpx
Minister of Agriculture meets with Health and Chamber representatives to discuss re-opening of Corozal Free Zone
December 4, 2020
Why Retiring In Placencia Belize Is So Attractive
Popular Tourist Destinations in Belize
December 4, 2020

Office of Director of Public Prosecutions drops case against ring of alleged drug plane smugglers citing insufficient police evidence!

Posted: Friday, December 4, 2020. 11:17 am CST.

By Aaron Humes: Sixteen months after they were first charged in connection with nearly 3,000 pounds of cocaine brought into Belize via a drug plane, seven of eight defendants saw their charges dropped on Wednesday. 

Ecuadoran, 44-year-old Juan Pablo Larrea Cruz; and six Hondurans: 37-year-old Terencio Mejia Cruz, 64-year-old Jacabi Yodani Mejia Garcia, 52-year-old Carlos Humberto Henriquez Gomez, and 31-year-old David Noe Orellana Discua, 33-year-old Allan Yovani Mejia Chirinos and 52-year-old Norlan Jose Carrasco Lopez appeared before Chief Magistrate Sharon Frazer with attorneys Richard “Dickie” Bradley and another where they were told of their good fortune. 

The Chief Magistrate said the charges were withdrawn based on instructions from the DPP’s office, which we understand could not find sufficient evidence presented by the police to continue with the case. It remained for her to ascertain that they have nothing further against them in Belize and to let them go with an apology for what they had gone through. 

Still to answer charges is 71-year-old Miguel Cruz Meseguer, who was identified as the pilot of the drug plane; he remains in prison on quarantine. 

Police had been tracking an aircraft likely headed for Belize from Venezuela on September 9, 2019, and managed to spot the aircraft flying low in the area of the Coastal Road. The group surrendered, though not without a fight as they engaged in a shoot-out with law enforcement. However, the DPP’s office found that the evidence gathered, even after repeat requests, was insufficient to meet its standard and so instructed that the charges be withdrawn. 

 

Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-601-0315.

 

© 2020, BreakingBelizeNews.com. Content is copyrighted and requires written permission for reprinting in online or print media. Theft of content without permission/payment is punishable by law.

Comments

  • Galen University
  • Belmopan Aggregates
  • larry waight
  • Belmopan Aggregates
  • cahal pech village resort
  • Galen University
  • Shindaiwa
  • Belmopan Aggregates