A group of 14 Jamaican individuals were deported from Belize over the weekend as authorities suspected their involvement in using the country as a potential gateway to Mexico and, subsequently, the United States.
Reports are that upon their arrival in Belize, the eleven adults and three children were detained for one week by local authorities.
The situation took a legal turn when the adults were brought before the Belizean court on Friday, charged with willfully supplying false declarations to an immigration officer.
Charges dropped, return home
According to reports, the charges were dropped after the Jamaicans signaled their willingness to return to their home country voluntarily.
Interception near the border
Reports are that the incident unfolded on the night of November 10 when Belizean authorities intercepted the Jamaicans near San Pedro Village in Corozal, close to the Mexican border.
The group was traveling in the back of a pickup truck, which drew the attention of local police.
When the police attempted to stop the truck, the driver made an escape into the nearby bushes, abandoning the Jamaicans.
Legal insights
Norman Rodriquez, the attorney representing the detained Jamaicans, provided some insight into their situation.
According to Rodriquez, the group had initially indicated on immigration forms that they had itineraries for accommodations at various hotels in Belize and the cayes.
However, upon investigation, authorities discovered that they were not at the locations they claimed to be.
