$13 Million in Drugs Go Up in Smoke in Massive Police Operation

Flames did more than light the sky today, they sent a clear message. Police destroyed millions of dollars’ worth of illegal drugs seized during two of the largest drug busts Belize has seen in years. After receiving approval from the courts, officers moved quickly this morning to burn the narcotics. Cocaine seized in Corozal and cannabis taken off the streets in the Belize District, together valued at an estimated thirteen million dollars, were reduced to ashes. Zenida Lanza was there as history quite literally went up in smoke and has the details.

 

Zenida Lanza, Reporting,

This morning, the police department destroyed more than two thousand pounds of narcotics from two of the biggest drug seizure operations this year. Together, they had a street value of over thirteen million dollars. According to Police Commissioner Dr. Richard Rosado, the destruction followed full court authorization.

 

Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police

 ”Pursuant to Regulation 27.1 of the misuse of Drug Act regulation, application was made to the magistrate for the issuance of an order for the disposal of the cocaine that was seized in Nueland Corozal and the cannabis that was seized in Lord Bank. The Magistrate having been satisfied that the said controlled substance can be destroyed without any prejudice to any pending criminal proceedings, duly granted the order.”

 

Reporter

“So can you talk to us about the quantity of what we’re disposing today?”

 

Richard Rosado

“The cocaine that was seized in Corozal, I believe it’s 1,215.6 pounds. The cannabis seized in Lords Bank, I believe it is 1,176.5 pounds with a total street value of 13 million.”

 

The first set to hit the fire was more than twelve hundred pounds of cocaine seized in a joint operation involving police, customs, and Mexican air officials. Security forces intercepted a drug plane in Neuland, Corozal, after tracking it from Costa Rica, arresting two Mexican nationals on landing.

 

Richard Rosado

“It does show that the personnel, police officers are highly motivated. It also highlight that Belize is not a transit route for drug trafficking because we have the partnership, we have the intelligence, and we have the capability to intercept and track drug traffickers. So it does serve as a motivation for our personel and I want to thank the security forces and all our police officers who were involved in both seizures.”

 

A few weeks earlier, police in Lords Bank Village raided an apartment and found over eleven hundred pounds of high-grade cannabis, along with a 9mm pistol and ammunition, valued at an estimated one point six million dollars. Those drugs were also brought in for destruction today. Assistant Commissioner Gualberto Garcia explained the level of coordination needed to safely transport both loads.

 

Gualberto Garcia, Assistant Commissioner

“The two loads were secured in two different locations, so we had to ensure that we provide adequate security for those loads to reach where we are. It took a considerable number of police officers to be here. We have a strong perimeter around us currently with security, so it’s not very easy for anybody to get close to us. That is one of the main objectives that we have, is the security and safety of not only our officers, but persons who are here, ensuring that the process goes smoothly.”

 

While drug destructions happen annually, today’s stood out as one of the largest ever. As for concerns about possible retaliation following the loss of such a large quantity of drugs, police say investigations remain ongoing.

 

Gualberto Garcia

“Drug destruction is something that we do almost every year, because as you may know, we have seizures every year all over the country, and many formations have a certain amount of drugs that they have. And due to the space in their exhibit rooms, they always apply to the commissioner for destruction of certain amounts of drugs. So we always have these kinds of operations, just that this is one of the bigger ones that we have, especially with these seizures.”

 

While the burning removes millions of dollars’ worth of drugs from circulation, the focus now shifts back to the courts and the hunt for suspects. In the plane bust, the pilots were arrested and charged, but in the Lords Bank case, police have yet to detain a person of interest. Reporting for News Five, I am Zenida Lanza.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

Watch the full newscast here: