Posted: Friday, December 18th, 2015. 12:07 p.m. CST
Jack Charles
By BMG Staff: 75 tonnes of Jack Charles’ controversial cheap Guyanese rice arrived by barge to the Big Creek Port in Independence Village Stann Creek early this morning.
Gustavo Carrillo, Manager of the Port told us the shipment of three 20-feet containers docked early Thursday morning and said that for it to be released to Jack Charles, he had to have completed documentation with the Customs and Excise Department and the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA), among others.
But that clearance was not obtained and undoubtedly, Charles was not too happy about it. He arrived at 1:58 Thursday afternoon at the BAHA Office adjacent to the Port Compound. There, he met with Israel Pech, Senior Quarantine Inspector who, after over half hour, denied the clearance based on a decision by his superiors, but no reason was given.
The rice stays for a maximum seven days after which Charles must pay charges if the containers are not deported.
Charles and his advisor, Sergio Garcia say they will query why BAHA is refusing to release the rice and not allow Charles to pay the penalties for not having his import permit and other documentation in place. He will wait until Friday to see where it goes.
But Charles’ troubles are not over, as if he does not get clearance soon, 7 more containers are expected to arrive in the next couple of weeks.