Police in Belize investigating disappearance of money held as evidence

BELMOPAN, Belize, CMC – The police in Belize have confirmed that an investigation has been launched into the disappearance of more than BDZ$21,000 from the Crimes Investigation Branch (CIB) evidence room.

Police said the discovery was made during an internal audit and that there has been no trace of the funds, which have been linked to a 2023 court case.

“As it relates to that inquiry, I can confirm that as a part of the auditing done at the CIB, a discovery was made that some sums of money were unaccounted for and that is the matter of an ongoing investigation,” said Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith.

“It is an ongoing investigation. Members of the Professional Standards Branch are reviewing the matter. A number of statements have been recorded as the investigation continues,” she added.

The senior police officer said she believes the incident took place “sometime earlier this year and that it was a sum of money that was seized as a part of an investigation that dates back to 2023”.

Smith said the police will provide further information as the investigation continues.

Meanwhile, police are still investigating the disappearance of more than BDZ$160,000 from the Ministry of Immigration.

“As it relates to immigration, what I have been advised is that an official statement has been given in relation to the missing documents, the nationality documents and, as it relates to the missing sums of money, arrangements are being made to record a thorough statement in relation to that report,” Smith said.

“They have informed us of certain things, however a thorough statement needs to be recorded with particular and specific information and that is what the investigators and those persons are working on to get the documents in order so that when the report is given, it is comprehensive,” she added.

The chief executive officer in the Ministry of Immigration, Tanya Santos, has already indicated that an in-depth audit will be conducted to determine the extent of the crime.

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