High-speed chase leads to the arrest of sea pirates 

San Pedro Police, with the assistance of the Belize Coast Guard, have arrested four men after a high-speed chase and the discovery of illegal ammunition in a boat on Tuesday. Three of the men attempted to flee by jumping into the water and discarding items, including a bag containing the ammunition.  According to a BCG report, a patrol team was in the Bacalar Chico River and lagoon when they spotted a vessel traveling at high speed with no lights. A hot pursuit ensued, and the Coast Guard intercepted the vessel. As the boat stopped, three of the four occupants, all wearing ski masks, jumped into the water. The chase ended with two of the suspects pleading guilty to ammunition possession, resulting in significant fines.  The incident unfolded when a Coast Guard patrol noticed a speeding vessel with no lights along the Bacalar Chico River and lagoon. A pursuit ensued, during which three individuals wearing ski masks jumped into the water and were seen throwing items overboard. The vessel was intercepted, and the four occupants, three adults and a 17-year-old minor, were detained. A search of the vessel and a bag thrown into the water yielded a total of 47 live rounds of ammunition, specifically one .223 round and forty-six 9mm rounds.  The four San Pedranos, identified as 27-year-old, Brayan Anthony Correa; 20-year-old, Brandon Travis Brown, and 18-year-old, Juan Carlos Blanco, along with a 17-year-old minor, appeared before Magistrate Ludlow Black. During the arraignment, Brown, the son of a police corporal, took ownership of the single .223 round, while Blanco, an 18-year-old fisherman, claimed responsibility for the 46 rounds of 9mm ammunition.  Due to their guilty pleas, the charges were withdrawn against Correa and the minor, and they were released.  Magistrate Black emphasized the severity of the offense, stating that each bullet could be equated to a life, and the ammunition posed a serious threat if it had made its way onto the streets. Despite their status as first-time offenders who saved the court time by pleading guilty, the Magistrate imposed substantial fines.  Blanco was fined $5,000 for the 46 rounds, with an order to pay half, $2,500, immediately and the remainder by November 28. Failure to pay will result in a one-year prison sentence.  Brandon Travis Brown was fined $1,505 for the single round, ordered to pay $500 forthwith and the balance by October 31, or face one year in prison.  Both men were able to make their initial payments and were released. No firearms were found during the operation, leading investigators to believe they may have been thrown overboard during the chase.