By Belize Live News Staff: An international deportation flight landed in Belize this morning, returning 25 Belizeans to home soil as part of a U.S. government repatriation operation. The flight, operated by U.S. immigration authorities, left Louisiana early this morning and arrived at the Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) with deportees from various backgrounds.
Most of the returnees were processed for immigration violations, including illegal entry and visa overstay. But for one passenger, the flight home ended in handcuffs.
Jody Rhamdas, who was wanted in Belize for attempted murder, was arrested immediately after landing and is now in police custody. He had reportedly been evading authorities since 2023.
Officials also confirmed that two other individuals aboard the flight are under investigation in Belize and were detained for further questioning.
The deportation charter flight carried around 150 passengers, with Belize as its first stop. It will continue on to Chile and Peru for additional deportations.
