Belize Introduces First-Ever Highway Interdiction Team

This morning, the Belize Police Department, along with the Ministry of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries, unveiled Belize’s first-ever Highway Interdiction Team (HIT). This new police unit is set to ramp up law enforcement on highways across the country, targeting drug trafficking, human smuggling, human trafficking, and the illegal movement of firearms and ammunition. The HIT team will also collaborate with the Ministry of Transport to tackle unsafe driving behaviors on Belize’s highways. News Five’s Britney Gordon has the story.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

In 2024, Belize saw a tragic toll of one hundred and fifteen road traffic-related deaths, averaging more than nine per month. The year also witnessed a troubling spike in crimes tied to illicit drug operations, leading to several Belizean nationals losing their lives. To tackle these issues head-on, the Belize Police Department is launching the Highway Interdiction Team (HIT) this year. Minister of Home Affairs, Kareem Musa, sheds light on the team’s mission.

 

Kareem Musa, Ministry of Home Affairs

“I know that focus of this highway interdiction team is certainly on firearms trafficking on drug smuggling, human trafficking and smuggling. But it’s also important that they work in tandem with our Department of Transport and their Highway Patrol in light of the  very serious year that we’ve had, the number of traffic fatalities. And so it is my hope that this team, this Highway Interdiction Team, will also play a significant role in curbing the number of traffic fatalities and traffic accidents”

 

Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, explained that while the team will help ensure drivers are obeying road traffic laws, the main focus is on deterring and combating serious crimes like drug and human trafficking, as well as the illegal movement of firearms and ammunition.

 

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“Our thoroughfare across the country has been used by not just local criminals, But also by international criminals or transnational criminals. And we decided it prudent to create a team that will be able to ensure the safety of our terror fear.  In a sense that we will be doing as much as we can to prevent our terror fear being used by human traffickers.  firearm traffickers, ammunition traffickers, drug traffickers, as well as human smugglers and those who engage in the transportation of contraband.”

 

The team is currently comprised of fourteen officers, who will be stationed in various areas across the country. This team will expand as the current recruits graduate into the force.

 

Kareem Musa

“Over the last two years the northern operations has become a permanent feature annually in our budget where we seek additional funds and resources in that area. And so it is expected that along the northern border we will be seeing a lot of the highway  interdiction team, as well as in the south, where we have a lot of pain landings. Yes, it is very remote areas in Dolores, where we have most of the pain landings. But hopefully this year we can get our forward operating base established in Dolores, along with the U. S. Embassy.”

 

Williams mentioned that he’s in the process of getting essential tools, like speed guns, which are crucial for the team to meet their goals.

 

Chester Williams

“Looking at breathalyzers, looking at speed guns, looking at ticket books, and the like are critical to the functions that we would have to be carrying out. As long with other equipment that will be used to inspect and search vehicles on the spot, those are things that the Embassy we’ll be providing to the team so that they can be able to discharge it in the best way they can.  We are currently in discussion I think should be finalized by now, the different amendments to the road traffic regulation hat will deal with the issue of the use of fertilizers and strengthening some of the land. I know Mr. Rosado and the CTO have met on numerous occasions looking at the different areas of concern to see the different recommendations that we made to cabinet in order for the amendment to be made.”

 

The team will be employed to duty effective today. Britney Gordon for News Five.