By Belize Live News Staff: A police officer was formally charged with extortion after a foreign couple reported being coerced into paying a bribe during a routine checkpoint. The couple, 50-year-old Manuel Ortiz from Spain and his wife Maribel Vargas from Mexico, claimed they were stopped at a police checkpoint on Newton Barracks last Friday when the incident occurred.
According to their report, the officer requested vehicle documents, which they could not provide. The officer allegedly threatened to detain them until Tuesday unless they handed over money. Fearing detention, Ortiz complied and handed over €210 (equivalent to $580 BZD), placing the cash on the back seat of the police vehicle as instructed.
Following the incident, the couple reported the matter to Queen Street Police Station, leading to the arrest of 38-year-old police officer Ausberto Pelayo from Corozal Town. Pelayo was charged with extortion and appeared in court with his attorney, Sharon Pitts. He pleaded not guilty and was granted bail of $6,000, along with two sureties of $3,000 each.
Pelayo is set to reappear in court on December 23.
