Belize on Alert After Gang Members Escape Prison in Guatemala

A serious security warning is in effect; Belizean authorities are on high alert after news broke that twenty high-profile gang members escaped from a maximum-security prison in Guatemala. These men are linked to the notorious Eighteenth Street gang, and with our borders so close, police fear they could slip into Belize. Officers have ramped up operations, and the public is being urged to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately.

 

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer

“On October eleventh, the Belize Police Department was alerted of the escape of twenty high-profile gang members from a maximum security prison in Guatemala. These gang members are known to be part of the Eighteenth Street gang and due to Belize’s proximity to that location, it is feared that those persons may make their way into this jurisdiction. Consequently, police officers and the police department have put into place strategic operational efforts to thwart such an eventuality and the police department urges members of the general public in those areas that are nearest to the borders to be on alert for these individuals and to report any suspicious movements as soon as possible. These persons are dangerous and are to be considered as such, and consequently we rely on members of the general public to assist us with information if ever they may come across these individuals.”