First human trafficking conviction in Belize's courts
Human Trafficking is a global problem that rarely ends in convictions because victims are reluctant to go before the courts. Well this past week Belize saw its first conviction in Human Trafficking. The incident took place almost two years ago but last week Tuesday, 54yr old Narciza Orellana, naturalized Belizean and resident of Santa Elena was sentenced to a year and a half in prison after she was found guilty of attempted trafficking in persons. The victim reported to police that she was looking for work at a supermarket where she met Orellana who then offered her a job at her home as a helper. She took the job but instead of house work, the victim says she was put to work in a bar owned by Orellana as a waitress. The young lady says that a client came to the bar requesting to have sex with the young girl and when she refused, Orellana began forcing her. The case was presided over by Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith.
