Taxi driver accepts $500 fine for allowing unmasked passengers in his vehicle

Published by BBNTEAM at June 7, 2022

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Posted: Tuesday, June 7, 2022. 9:52 pm CST.

By Aaron Humes: In court today, Cordell Duran, 32, of Ebony Street, changed his plea from not guilty to guilty following a charge of allowing a passenger to be transported on a public transportation who is not wearing a face mask or other (nose and mouth) covering.

In doing so he was fined $500, the settled penalty under the COVID-19 Public Health Regulations in force at the time.

Duran was first arraigned on November 29 when he pleaded not guilty and was released on bail. But he changed his plea and must now pay the fine by August 15, in default six months’ imprisonment.

The incident took place on September 14, 2021, when a woman Police Sergeant on duty at the Mile 4, George Price Highway checkpoint at around 8 p.m. observed a red and gold SUV operating as a taxi and driving to Belize City from Hattieville, containing three persons who were not wearing their face masks.

When the Sergeant asked for his identification and informed him of the offence committed, he allegedly became offensive to her and threatened to call Commissioner of Police Chester Williams himself.

As a result of the group’s disorderly behaviour, they had to be taken to the nearest police station to be told of their offence and charges.

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