Jamaican Nationals Released After Charges for Immigration Offenses

Fourteen Jamaican nationals, eleven adults and three minors, who had been charged for immigration offenses, were released today. The group was detained on Friday, November 10 and today they were charged for willfully supplying a false declaration to an Immigration Officer upon arrival at the Phillip Goldson International Airport. They all pleaded not guilty when they appeared in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court and were granted bail. Their case was adjourned until November 30 and were supposed to receive their disclosure when the prosecution said that the matter would not be pursued any further. Attorney Norman Rodriguez explained that the Jamaicans, now free, are considering their legal options.

Fabian Wellington, one of the people detained, spoke to court news reporter Anita Nembhard, saying that while the experience was negative, he found some good in the people that he met, including attorney Rodriguez.

The group was detained by immigration department personnel on a feeder road headed north to Mexico.