San Estevan family found with more than 50 out-of-season lobsters

Published by BBNTEAM at July 12, 2022

Tags

Posted: Tuesday, July 12, 2022. 10:26 am CST.

By BBN Staff: Authorities caught three brothers from San Estevan Village, Orange Walk District, with lobsters, a day before the official season was to open.

The fishermen, 43-year-old Jose Remijio Bustillos, 42-year-old Hipolito Bustillos, and 22-year-old Luis Enrique Bustillos, were caught on June 30, with 51 lobsters.

They were charged jointly in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court for possession of lobster during closed season and for breach of their fishing license conditions because their vessel, “Nato” was not displaying the proper color to indicate which fishing area it was assigned to.

In court, Jose Bustillos pleaded guilty to both charges and was fined $100.00 plus the $5.00 cost of court; which he has until July 30, 2022, to pay in default, one-month imprisonment.

He was also fined the minimum of $50 for each lobster which amounted to $2,550.00. Bustillos has until December 30, 2022, to pay or, in default, the court will seize and sell off his assets to pay the fine, a remedy which is known as “distress”.

With his guilty plea, the charges were withdrawn from the other two accused.

Meanwhile, Hipolito Bustillos was additionally charged with the offense of obstruction. He was accused of throwing the out-of-season lobsters overboard at the sight of authorities approaching.

For this offense, he pleaded guilty and was fined $2,000 plus the $5.00 cost of court, which he must pay by November 30 or he will face three months in prison.

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 mаrkеtі[email protected]еаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-601-0315.