Eddie De La Rosa, "The Fish From Rivabattam"
On Friday in the House of Representatives, Minister of Natural Resources Cordel Hyde exposed a major land fraud scheme which he said was orchestrated by UDP political operatives in Cayo.
According to information dug up by Hyde's team since taking over the ministry: the schemers would use government databases to take the names and social security numbers of persons requesting assistance from government. From there, lands would be placed in these names - without the persons ever knowing - and then transferred to UDP personalities.
One man who says he knows all about it is Eddie De La Rosa. He's a former UDP political operative now living in the US. He says he moved there for his own safety. He told us today that what Hyde exposed is just the proverbial tip of the iceberg.
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"Were there other people whose names were used based on their Social Security information without their knowledge?"
Eddie De La Rosa, Former Montero Operative
"Jules, I believe those are. Well, I noh believe. I know those are just, not even the beginning Jules, to tell you all what I know and what I have evidence for. So those are not even nothing compared to what I know and what evidence I have."
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"How many parcels of land would you say were obtained in this manner using this scheme?"
Eddie De La Rosa, Former Montero Operative
"Ahm, more than 50 for sure, Jules, more than 50, more than 50, I wouldn't give you a specific number because I want to tell the Belizean people with the...I want to give evidence for, I want to keep my credibility strong."
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"But, soh were these lots, were these individual lots? Or were they acreages, farmlands?"
Eddie De La Rosa, Former Montero Operative
"We had a lot of cases, they had a lot of cases where they were lots and a lot of acreages, I mean you heard it in the house, I mean there is a lot, a lot of acreage."
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"Was this happening only in the Cayo District?"
Eddie De La Rosa, Former Montero Operative
"Ah, no sir. No sir. Cayes, out in the cayes, mostly, and, in Santa Elena and in some other villages, noh? But I would really like to see something to be done if as much as returning these properties or these lands to the humble people of Caye Central, noh?"
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"Was it only land fraud schemes?"
Eddie De La Rosa, Former Montero Operative
"(Laughs) Jules, there are lot more than you can ever imagine."
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"Are you prepared to offer evidence, for all these things you assert?"
Eddie De La Rosa, Former Montero Operative
"I'm not prepared, I'm ready Jules, I'm just waiting for the lands department to do their proper investigation - I'm not prepared, I've been ready. I will be cooperating with the Ministry of Lands, or the police department, or the audit department or the immigration department, or whichsoever ministry contact me to give them information, I am willing to."
De La Rosa will appear on Plus TV's Rise and Shine tomorrow - where he says he will talk about a fraudulent visa program he is also aware of.
We reached Rene Montero Sr.'s attorney, his son Rene Montero Junior for comment this evening. He told us, quote, "we will immediately file claims against any media house that makes defamatory statements against my client.
Making a statement does not mean it's true and you are being forewarned that we will sue against these baseless and untrue allegations."
Channel 7