Recent Cayo Violence Fuels Sweeping Police Crackdown

The recent bloodshed in Cayo has triggered an intensified police crackdown on drugs and illegal firearms. Three murders rocked the district last week, with concerns that the killings may be connected to a struggle for control of the local drug trade. Police have since reported several more arrests and seizures as they move against suspected criminal operations. ASP Stacy Smith says law enforcement remains focused on those fueling the violence.

 

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer

“Police have formally arrested and jointly charged twenty-six-year-old Shadrack Garcia and twenty-seven-year-old Jorge Aldana, both of the Cayey district, for the offense of possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply. The arrest follows the execution of a house search at a residence on Benque Viejo Road on first September twenty twenty-six, which resulted in the discovery of three point seven grams of cocaine. Police have formally arrested and charged twenty-two-year-old Quentin Palacio of Santa Elena for the offense of kept ammunition without a gun license. The arresting officer reported that on Tuesday first September, sometime after five o’clock PM, he was on operation when his attention was drawn to Palacio, who was on board a motorcycle. When the officers attempted to intercept him, he fled and was subsequently pursued and detained. A search of a bag that was in his possession led to the discovery of five rounds of nine millimeter G80 brand ammunition. Police have formally arrested and charged Gian Landero for the offense of possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply following a search that was conducted on him at seven thirty PM on first September in the Boyton area of San Ignacio. This search led to the discovery of a Nescafe coffee brand bottle which contained five transparent plastic, each containing suspected cocaine, which when weighed totaled to a hundred and twenty-seven point nine grams.”

 

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