Police Intervene to Stop Drug-Related Killings on Island

Henry Jemmott

While police will not say why eighteen-year-old Christian Contreras was killed, it is widely believed that is linked to the drug problem on the island. Several of the killings in the past year have been connected to drug rival groups and the Police Department has since implemented several initiatives to combat the growing problem. Today, Officer in Charge in San Pedro Superintendent Henry Jemmott told us that they have been doing a lot on the ground. He says they have received the assistance of twenty-two additional police officers to carried out interventions.

Supt. Henry Jemmott, O.C., Coastal Executive Unit

“I must say yes, we are doing a whole lot. By the way we have two different operations going on in San Pedro. I can tell you that from visiting the scene, the workers stated that ‘mien, the police were just here – they were just around the area.’ So that tells you that we are covering the area but the criminals will use the window of opportunity to commit what they want to commit. Through Mister Broaster, we have a parallel operation besides my quick response team that is covering all the areas. We have gotten an extra twenty two police officers from Belize City and eastern Division to assist us with the issue. We are also doing a lot of interventions – just yesterday we are doing intervention with some of the guys from rival groups and stuff. So, we are not dealing with it only from a crime or operational standpoint; we are dealing with it also as a social issue. I have the mayor and the minister connected and we sit with these young men and have them see the detriment their actions are causing to San Pedro. This is the jewel and they have to understand what the issues are – but beside that we are doing other things too. For like those ones who have cases before the court, we are trying to speed up the trial so a conclusion can be held and if they are liable then they go to jail because sometimes that is the only thing that quells the issues.”