By Breaking Belize News Staff: Three members of the well-known Zabaneh family of southern Belize, including an 88-year-old businessman, his son and his son’s common-law wife, have been charged with human trafficking following disturbing allegations involving a Salvadoran woman recruited to work as a caregiver.
Emilio Quinonez Zabaneh, 88, his son Elvis Christian Zabaneh, 36, and Tersi Amini Aguilar, 34, appeared in the Dangriga Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, November 5, where they were each granted bail of $7,000.
The charges stem from a September 2023 investigation by the Belize Police Department’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons Unit.
According to police documents, the Salvadoran woman claims she was recruited by Emilio Zabaneh in El Salvador with the promise of earning US$500 monthly to care for him, along with accommodation and paid travel expenses.
However, after arriving in Belize on August 15, 2023, she allegedly experienced verbal abuse, sexual harassment, forced labour and threats of imprisonment.
The woman told investigators that Emilio demanded sexual acts, including sexual intercourse, which she refused. She alleged that he subsequently threatened to report her to immigration authorities and have her jailed.
She further claimed that Elvis withheld her passport despite repeated requests for its return and threatened to have her imprisoned if she attempted to leave the family’s Havana Street property.
According to the police summary of facts, the woman was fed only twice daily, made to sleep on a small sofa and permitted to shower only once a day.
She also alleged that Elvis and Aguilar required her to perform extensive household chores, including sweeping, mopping, ironing and cleaning bathrooms, despite her employment agreement being specifically for caregiving.
Although promised US$500 monthly, she reportedly received only BZ$150 during her stay, which she transferred to relatives in El Salvador.
On September 10, 2023, police conducted a rescue operation at the Zabaneh residence in Dangriga, removing the woman and placing her in the care of the Department of Human Services.
More than three years later, police formally arrested and charged the three accused.
Emilio faces one count of trafficking in persons for allegedly harbouring the woman through threats and coercion for the purpose of exploiting her through prostitution.
Elvis and Aguilar were jointly charged with a separate count of trafficking in persons for allegedly harbouring the woman through threats and coercion to compel her to perform forced labour.
The trio appeared before Senior Magistrate Mannon Dennison. Emilio was represented by attorney Andrew Bennett, while Elvis and Aguilar were represented by attorney David Morales.
No pleas were taken pending instructions from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions on whether the cases will proceed summarily or on indictment before the High Court.
Each was granted bail of $7,000 with sureties and conditions restricting international travel and prohibiting contact with the complainant or her family.
The three are scheduled to return to court on November 18, 2026.
The allegations have not been proven in court.
The post Emilio and Elvis Zabaneh, Tersi Aguilar charged with human trafficking in Dangriga appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: Three members of the well-known Zabaneh family of southern Belize, including an 88-year-old businessman, his son and his son’s common-law wife, have been charged with human trafficking following disturbing allegations involving a Salvadoran woman recruited to work as a caregiver. Emilio Quinonez Zabaneh, 88, his son Elvis Christian Zabaneh, 36,
The post Emilio and Elvis Zabaneh, Tersi Aguilar charged with human trafficking in Dangriga appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
