Police Investigating Village Water Poisoning
2 days ago, we told you about the shocking story coming out of the
Village of San Vicente in the Toledo District where it was discovered
that their water system had been poisoned.
As we told you, the best information from health authorities is that
some malicious individual emptied a bottle of insecticide into their
water tanks. Although the chemicals were not lethal, it did cause 6
villagers to go to the hospital with stomach aches.
The Public Health Authorities have confirmed that the village's water
system was poisoned with Malathion, and reports are that the community
has written to the police commissioner. They have allegedly asked that
the person they suspect as the culprit be banned from the village.
Here's what the ComPol had to say about that today:
Reporter
"Is this something the police is able to do?"
Chester Williams - Commissioner of Police
"The last I checked under the constitution as Belizeans, we're free to
move around this country in any part of the country you want without
impeded by police or anyone except in situations where you have
committed a crime and the police is there to detain us and certainly
yes, if it is that he is the one responsible for the poisoning of the
water system, then it's a matter for the police to deal with. Once we
have the evidence that indicates that he is the one who did, then he
should be arrested and charged. So the officers in Punta Gorda Town are
doing what they can to be able to get the evidence that we would need
to effect an arrest in that manner."
Reporter
"Can you share any details on that investigation so far?"
Chester Williams
"At this time I know that the person was brought into custody, I am not
certain where the investigation is at this time but it's something
we're working on."
Channel 7