A serving immigration officer in Belize has been arrested and charged with extortion following an alleged $6,000 bribery scheme that unfolded at the Big Creek Port earlier this year, senior law enforcement officials confirmed this week.
According to official statements from Hilberto Romero, head of the National Crimes Investigation Branch, the incident dates back to early September, when a shipping agent named Danielle Cardinez came forward to file a formal complaint against the officer, identified as Ruben Requena.
Cardinez, a resident of Independence, told investigators that Requena had approached her demanding a $6,000 payment in exchange for processing entry for six people who were being held aboard a cargo vessel docked at Big Creek Port. The vessel’s captain had already been arrested on charges of smuggling uncustomed goods, leaving the six individuals detained on the ship.
Cardinez complied with the demand and handed over the full $6,000 sum, but Requena never provided her with a formal receipt for the payment. When Cardinez followed up to confirm the payment had been received by the appropriate authorities, she was told no such payment had been recorded. Instead of backing down, Cardinez contacted law enforcement to report the extortion attempt.
Romero stated that Requena attempted to intimidate Cardinez into withdrawing her complaint after she initiated the report. He reportedly threatened that there would be consequences if she moved forward with her statement to investigators. Despite the warning, Cardinez continued to cooperate with the probe, leading to Requena’s arrest.
Investigators built their case against Requena using security video footage from the port area as well as additional corroborating evidence gathered during the inquiry. At present, Requena has only been formally charged with one count of extortion. Law enforcement officials are currently reviewing the threat allegation to determine whether it warrants an additional, separate criminal charge.
The case underscores ongoing concerns around corruption in border and immigration agencies in Belize, and law enforcement have emphasized that they will proceed with full transparency and accountability regardless of the suspect’s position in public service.