Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 84,397
Marty Offline OP
OP Offline

Police Constable Allegedly Extorts Money for Woman's Freedom

San Pedro Police is investigating a case of extortion purportedly committed by a police officer. According to police reports, on Tuesday, September 23, a 17-year-old boy along with his mother, Mirna Judith Berganza, reported to San Pedro Police that between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. on Monday September 22, his mother was detained at the San Pedro Police Station for traffic offences. As a result, he and a family friend visited the San Pedro Police Station whereby the friend spoke to P.C. Oscar Ramirez who demanded $300 for the release of Mirna Berganza and later demanded $700 more for her release. The 17 year old further alleged that a total of $600 was given to P.C. Ramirez for the release of his mother. Police have since arrested and charged 36-year-old Police Constable #1139 Oscar Ramirez of San Juan Area, San Pedro Town for the crime of "Extortion".

LOVEFM


Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,520
Offline
Quote
a 17 year-old young man reported with his mother, Mirna Judith Berganza


Good for them, a huge service to all...

Joined: May 2000
Posts: 7,050
Offline
I am pleased to see these cases being brought to light and being taken seriously.

Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 72
R
Offline
R
Just another day in Paradise!

Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 5,563
Offline
Me too Amanda. More people need to speak out and not live in such fear of retaliation.


Harriette
Take only pictures leave only bubbles
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 84,397
Marty Offline OP
OP Offline

Another cop accused of extortion in San Pedro

On July 24, Constable Elvin Nah of the San Pedro police was arrested and charged with extortion and released on bail of $2,000 in the San Pedro Magistrate's Court. A little over two months later, another officer of the San Pedro police - Constable Oscar Ramirez, has also been charged for an act of extortion, which allegedly occurred on September 23.

PC Ramirez was taken to the San Pedro Magistrate's Court today, where he was released on bail of $3,000 and ordered to return to court on Tuesday, November 18.

Police charged that PC Ramirez demanded $700 - of which he collected $600 - for the release of a woman who was in custody for traffic offenses.

On Tuesday, September 23, Mirna Judith Berganza, a resident of San Pedro, was being detained at the San Pedro Police Station for traffic offenses when her son, 17, and a friend of his, both of San Pedro, went to the station to try to get his mother released.

Her son talked to PC Ramirez, who allegedly agreed to release his mother if he was paid $700. The boy told investigating officers that he did not have $700, but that he paid the policeman $600 - all he had, and Mirna Berganza was subsequently released after spending four hours in custody.

PC Ramirez has since been interdicted from duty and will be tried internally by the Police Department through a special police court called a police tribunal, which can impose penalties, including dismissal from the department, if the officer is found guilty of the offense.

ASP Glen Rivero, Officer in Charge of the Professional Standards Branch of the Police Department, said that the department has a zero-tolerance stance toward crime and corruption within the police force.

On July 24, PC Elvin Nah was charged with extorting $400 from a man he had busted with drugs - telling the man he would release him from custody without charges if he paid him the requested amount. The man reportedly handed over eight $50 notes to Nah and walked out free from the station.

Other police officers learned of what happened and launched an investigation, and PC Nah was identified as the policeman who released the man from their custody, and he was taken to court. Nah has since been placed on interdiction from duty pending an initial trial by the police tribunal.

Amandala


Joined: May 2000
Posts: 7,050
Offline
It is great to see all of these crooked cops being called to task for their actions. Hopefully this is a trend that will continue, through the ranks, country wide and eventually we just might have a police force that we are extremely proud of that take their duty seriously and with pride. Then, and only then, the police will earn the respect and praise of the public that they are sworn to protect and serve. We won't be afraid of the police and we will be willing and happy to make reports and we will feel safe and protected. Sounds good to me.

Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 984
Offline
Or we may not have a Police Force at all. (LOL)

Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 72
R
Offline
R
The problem doesn't just stop with the San Pedro Police Department, it goes all the way to the top. You Better Belize It!

Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 141
T
Offline
T
Sounds a little fishy !

Page 1 of 2 1 2

Link Copied to Clipboard
March
S M T W T F S
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31
Cayo Espanto
Click for Cayo Espanto, and have your own private island
More Links
Click for exciting and adventurous tours of Belize with Katie Valk!
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 287 guests, and 0 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Forum Statistics
Forums44
Topics79,199
Posts500,011
Members20,460
Most Online7,413
Nov 7th, 2021



AmbergrisCaye.com CayeCaulker.org HELP! Visitor Center Goods & Services San Pedro Town
BelizeSearch.com Message Board Lodging Diving Fishing Things to Do History
BelizeNews.com Maps Phonebook Belize Business Directory
BelizeCards.com Picture of the Day

The opinions and views expressed on this board are the subjective opinions of Ambergris Caye Message Board members
and not of the Ambergris Caye Message Board its affiliates, or its employees.

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5