Belmopan. April 7, 2019. The Ministry of National Security (MNS) has confirmed, through Belize’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, that a member of the Belize Police Department, Police Constable Fabián Laurie, and a Coast Guard Officer Seaman Pedro Colomer along with two civilians Kevin Hernández and Jerille Laurie were detained by police in Livingston, Guatemala yesterday, April 6th, 2019. The four Belizean men were arrested and charged for possession of firearms and ammunition without a license.
It is unclear at this time what the men were doing in Guatemala but the MNS can confirm that neither of the two officers was on official duties at the time when they were arrested. All four men were transferred to the main prison in Puerto Barrios where they are awaiting trial.
The Ministry of National Security is closely following the developments through its counterparts in Guatemala and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
As is normal in these circumstances the Government of Belize, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is working to ensure that the rights of the detained Belizeans are preserved and that they have access to legal counsel.
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