Update: Fine for destruction of ancient Mayan pyramid? $5,000

BELIZE CITY –  The penalty for the near-total destruction of one of the biggest Mayan pyramids in Belize — which the government called “unforgivable” and left archaeologists speechless — may leave conservationists speechless: just $5,000. 

Police have launched an investigation and anyone found responsible could face five to 10 years in imprison, a fine of about $5,000 or both. 

To avoid the fee, fingers are frantically pointing in the Caribbean country, with the owner of De’ Mar’s Stone Co., the road-building company that has been blamed for the incident, saying the landowner gave him permission to extract the material. Read more.