Drugs - Channel 5 Belize

ComPol Comments on Wet Drops in Belizean Waters

Earlier this week, we reported that the Belize Coast Guard found a kilo of cocaine on a fisherman in Turneffe. There have been more and more reports of fishermen scouring beaches in that area, looking for wet drops. Today, we asked Commissioner of Police Chester Williams if any charges have been filed against the fisherman and where the drugs might have come from.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“I know that a person was in custody and I have to check if that person has been charged.”

Paul Lopez

“Is it a fact that this kilo may have come from a suspected capsized drug boat?”

Chester Williams

“We do know occasionally there would be instances where we have these wet drops. As much as we try to prevent the transshipment of drugs through the country, the maritime domain remain active and when we do have these instances where we have these wet drops it is normally due to these boats capsizing or due to these boats being pursued by law enforcement and in order to lighten the boat they would throw products overboard. So I cannot say if it is a matter of boat capsizing or them trying to evade law enforcement, but we have gotten information that there is a number of drugs floating in the water. The Coast Guard has been very active doing their best to see if they can find these drugs.”

Drug Plane Trial to Restart After Magistrate Recuses Herself

A drug trial in San Ignacio came to an unexpected halt earlier this week when the presiding magistrate recused herself from the case. The trial was related to a November 2021 drug plane landing that resulted in a large drug seizure and the detention of seven alleged traffickers, including the Mexican co-pilot. After years of hearings, the case will now have to start over with a new magistrate. Today, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams explained why the magistrate stepped down and what the next steps are for the case.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“The briefing I got from the prosecutor Ms. Elrington, there seems to have been issue in the court room, where she believe that the case was not going as should and that there may be some degree of bias from the magistrate and she made a submission to the magistrate for the magistrate to recuse herself. That submission was accepted and the magistrate recused herself and we just have to look for a new trial.”

Man Busted with Kilo of Cocaine Out at Sea

On Monday afternoon, the Belize Coast Guard busted a man with a kilo of cocaine out at sea. Acting on a tip, they sent a patrol to the Turneffe area, where they searched an individual and made the discovery. The cocaine was sealed in black and clear plastic, marked with a symbol of a scale of justice with wings, surrounded by stars. We spoke with Rear Admiral Elton Bennett, the Commandant of the Belize Coast Guard, about the find. Here’s what he had to say.

Rear Admiral Elton Bennett, Commandant, Belize Coast Guard

“Yesterday afternoon our patrol operating out at the forward operating base at Calabash Caye received direct intelligence that there was an induvial who had suspected cocaine in his presence. A patrol deployed to that location found the individual and searched his belongings and discovered what appeared to be suspected cocaine. We detained him at that location, and we conducted further searches and brought him into the Belize Police Department who will be prosecuting the case. This is an area of concern for us. We have been receiving information quite often recently that there are increased drug trafficking activities in that area. So, our patrol is very active. We have been receiving information of illicit activities in the area. So our patrols remain very vigilant and we are conducting operations in that area.”

Fishermen Combing Beaches in Search of Illicit Drugs

Rear Admiral Elton Bennett reported a rise in suspicious activities in the Turneffe area, prompting the Belize Coast Guard to stay on high alert. But where did the discovered kilo of cocaine come from? Was it a wet drop or part of a capsized drug boat’s cargo? We asked Bennett about rumors that fishermen are increasingly combing these beaches for illicit drugs.

Rear Admiral Elton Bennett, Commandant, Belize Coast Guard

“Indeed, we have received those reports. We have been activity engaging these individuals. Last week we detained one individual who was aggressive towards another party in the activities of beach combing. So we are aware of that and are doing our best to keep an eye on these individuals and engage them as often as possible.”

Benita Keme-Palacio

“Would you say this has been increasingly normal and hard to combat and control?”

Rear Admiral Elton Bennett

“We have seen an increase in activity in the Turneffe area, both legitimate fishing and otherwise. So it is our operational duty to ensure we board and search and interview where necessary all those individuals we would come across. The fact that we found this kilo of cocaine in that area indicates that yes these reports are true and we continue to concentrate in that area.”

ComPol says Dismissed Cop had Multiple Signs of Cartel Activity

A veteran cop was recently dismissed from the Belize Police Department after twenty-one years of service. Reports suggest this officer was named in a cartel note found with the body of missing man Raheem Usher. Although Commissioner of Police Chester Williams denied that Usher’s death was linked to cartel activity, the officer was subsequently dismissed after allegations of him being involved in cartel activity. Additionally, two other officers were named in a note accusing them of facilitating a drug plane landing, but they were released after questioning due to lack of evidence. Commissioner Williams shared more details on the incident.

Reporter

“These people, their names are on a paper or on a I should say, on a satellite phone related to this entire narco activity in Graham Creek.”

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“No, that’s not true. Their names are not on no satellite phone and you cannot compare this with the previous case. It’s like compare night and day, The circumstances involving that particular officer it is not just today that we have been hearing about him. It has been for a very long time. There have been numerous information obtained as it relates to his involvement in these illicit activities, and so it’s not the same. So I would hope that you divorce the two and do not keep them together, no. The job of the commissioner is not an easy one, you have to make some very tough decisions. And I guess that’s ehat makes good leadership. Good leaders, being able to make tough decisions. Even when it is not popular. As I said to you earlier, that there have been many allegations in respect of that individual. And the thing is that even the people who works with him were not comfortable working with him because of the allegations that they were hearing. They were fearful that they would be at work with him, and then people would come and target him, and then they’d become victims of that. So it’s, it was not an easy decision to be made, but it was one. I believe that was necessary.”

Officers Released After Allegations of Facilitating Drug Plane Landing

The two officers from the Anti-Narcotics and Special Patrol Units who were detained over the recent drug plane landing near Graham Creek, Toledo, have been released. Reports say their names were on a list of people who allegedly received fifty thousand dollars for helping with the landing. However, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams stated that no other evidence has been found to link them to the crime. We asked Williams for an update on the investigation today.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“We put together an investigative team of senior investigators to investigate that matter to see if there was anything credible to the information. And so far we have not been able to unearth anything to indicate that those officers were involved in a plane landing. Of course, the investigation remains active. They have also agreed for the devices to be searched. That is going to be done by the DEA agents. And again, the fact that they agreed to that shows how transparent they want to be with the investigation. In terms of cooperating, I’m not going to put the cart ahead of the horse at this time. I believe that we can be judged in terms of what we did when we, once we received information, they were brought in, they were interviewed and they remaining custody for fourty-eight hours was like, we’d have done any person. So there was no special treatment given to them. But at the end of the day, we have to be fair to people. If there’s nothing to indicate anything further of their involvement, then they had to be released, some custody while the investigation continues.”

Reporter

”Should these officers be placed on administrative leave also can the ANU be trusted to handle this investigation. Because one of their members not charged, one of their members was implicated by something that you have seen evidence of?”

Chester Williams

“The ANU is not in charge of the investigation. The investigation has been done by senior investigator, some major crime headed by Superintendent Gonzalez. And the DEA agent or attache is also a part of overseen investigation. So they’re they’re getting information as well. And, at the end of the day, if it is that the investigation not showing anything to the effect that they are involved, then we will have to move on. It’s as simple as that.”

Reporter

“Can you speak about the detention of the Graham Creek?”

Chester Williams

“We had received a number of information and based on that, again the police, the investigative team again, had moved into that area and they had detained two individuals from there. What we were getting was that they were involved in some respect or some aspect of the plane landing. They were brought in, they were interviewed. I think there was information on one cell phone showing the tree that was cut to the entrance of where the plane had landed, which would show that he knew of it. Again, our interviews, in respect of that matter, is ongoing. The investigators are still out trying to collect as much as they can to see if we will be able to gather little bit more so that we’ll be able to charge these people if they need, if the evidence should surface.”

ComPol Says “No Cargo” Found on Suspected Drug Plane Near Graham

Police are investigating a drug trafficking operation in southern Belize after an aircraft was found burnt on a makeshift airstrip near Graham Creek, Toledo, close to the Guatemalan border. On Friday, BDF Commander Brigadier General Azariel Loria confirmed the plane’s link to a drug ring and said the investigation is ongoing. One suspect from a nearby village has been detained. Loria stated, “it’s a drug trafficking network that we’re trying to dismantle in the south”. Police Commissioner Chester Williams told reporters today that a team of police and Belize Defense Force officers responded to the area and found the plane’s burnt remains. Williams confirmed there was no cargo on the plane. He added that the team stayed in the area to continue their investigation, and two individuals were eventually detained near the landing site.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“Last week Thursday, after midnight, information was received of a plane that had landed in the extreme south of Belize. That is in the Toledo District. A team of police and BDF was dispatched to the area and upon arrival, the burnt remains of the plane were found and there was no cargo. The operations team remained in the area for a number of days, conducting searches in the area with the hope of finding something. And, eventually, they detained two persons who were found not too far from the vicinity of the plane landing and those two persons are currently in police custody being questioned with a view to ascertain if they have any information that could assist the police in determining who are those behind that plane landing. We had two police officers who were brought in for questioning. And, again, that was because of certain information that we were getting and so it was just done with a view to see if in fact the information obtained was accurate and to see if there was any involvement of these officers. But so far, investigators have probed into this matter and we have not found anything to incriminate those two officers as it relates to the plane landing.”

Drug Plane Suspected to be Part of Drug Trafficking Network

Tonight, authorities suspect a drug ring is operating in southern Belize after discovering the remains of a drug plane that was deliberately set on fire after landing on Wednesday night. Earlier today, News Five spoke with BDF Commander Azariel Loria and Coast Guard Commandant Elton Bennett, whose teams assisted the Belize Police Department in securing the area. The plane landed on a makeshift airstrip in a remote part of Toledo near Graham Creek, close to the Guatemalan border. Initially, there were reports that two law enforcement officers were detained in connection with the incident. Today, we learned from Loria that another person from the remote area was also detained. Authorities believe the landing is linked to a suspected drug trafficking network operating in southern Belize. We understand that satellite phones and communication equipment were found at the detainee’s residence. Let’s hear first from Loria, followed by Bennett, on this latest discovery of a drug plane.

Brigadier General Azariel Loria, Commander, B.D.F.

“We need to do quite a bit of investigation when it comes to that and get to the bottom of it. I think that there was one major figure that was detained and I don’t know if he has been arrested at this point in time from one of the villages down in the south, which could lead us to more. It’s a drug trafficking network that we’re trying to dismantle in the south. I think that by the detention of this person, I don’t want to share the details and I would prefer for the Commissioner or somebody from the police department to go into those details. But I think we will have the potential to solve and in so doing, dismantle the network down in the south.”

Rear Admiral Elton Bennett, Commandant, Belize Coast Guard

“We form a part of the joint enforcement teams that would deploy whenever an aircraft of interest is declared and that night we were activated and we had several Coast Guard operations that were placed on alert and deployed to different areas in order to intercept any traffickers that will be coming along the coast. So we look after the coastal areas and then the Belize Defense Force and the police department would’ve had enforcement teams well inland. So we were up tracking and trying to place our personnel at the best possible location in order to intercept. I do understand that they discovery the plane in the southern area just off the Sarstoon and that’s in the jungles. It’s very difficult terrain to operate in. I don’t know all the details as yet.”

Police Officer Suspected of Narco Involvement is Terminated

A veteran police officer has been officially discharged from the Belize Police Department following an internal review. The termination letter stated, quote, In light of the serious nature of the allegations against you, the impact on the reputation of the Belize Police Department, and after careful consideration of the submission by your attorney… I hereby exercise my power and discharge you from the Belize Police Department, effective March 28, 2025, end quote. Back in late February, we reported the discovery of the body of twenty-nine-year-old Raheem Usher from Libertad Village, who had been missing for over a month. His body was found in San Antonio Village, not badly decomposed, indicating he had been held captive for a long time before being shot twice in the head. Usher was found handcuffed, wrapped in a sheet, and covered in plastic. The sheet had a handwritten threat aimed at those ‘bringing down planes with drugs,’ listing six names, including the officer’s. On March twenty-fifth, the law firm of Morales & Company wrote to Commissioner of Police Chester Williams on their client’s behalf. The letter states, quote, our client categorically rejects the baseless allegations of involvement in illicit drug activities, including drug trafficking operations. Our client has served the Government of Belize as a police officer for over twenty-two years with an unblemished disciplinary record. His dedication to interdicting illicit drug trafficking activities within the Anti-Drug Unit for over seven years has been exemplary. He has played a crucial role in successful anti-drug operations alongside other members of the police department and special agents of the Drug Enforcement Agency of the United States of America. Considering the above, our considered view is that our client is serving the Government of Belize as an efficient non-commissioned police officer and it is highly unlikely that he will cease to be an efficient officer of the police department. We trust that your opinion will reflect our views and that you will not discharge our client from the police department, end quote.

Carbon Monoxide is Responsible for Deaths of 3 American Visitors

A toxicology report has confirmed that carbon monoxide poisoning caused the deaths of three American women found in their hotel room at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. The tragic discovery of Kaoutar Naqqad, Imane Mallah, and Wafae El Ararwas was made on February 22. Since then, investigators have been working hard to determine what happened. The women were on vacation from Massachusetts. After the shocking discovery, their families demanded answers from local authorities, including the Belize Police Department. Earlier today, the results were shared with their loved ones, revealing the silent killer that claimed their lives.

Gian Cho, Director, National Forensics Science Service

“So we received the toxicology results for the deaths of the three US nationals from the hotel in San Pedro. We received those results today. The testing took, I believe, about three weeks, more or less, from the time the laboratory received the samples. And the results came back today which we shared with the medical examiners because they will need the toxicology results so as to update the cause of death. If you recall, the cause of death was written as acute pulmonary edema due to pending toxicology and histology. So the medical examiner has received the report so they can revise or update the cause of death. The police department’s case officer has received it as well and before we scheduled this interview, we also made sure that the family received the toxicology results as well through the US Embassy which has been acting as the liaison. And we did a comprehensive toxicology screening which is why it took a bit longer than the two weeks that we were anticipating that it would take. As the commissioner mentioned to you previously, when we requested the toxicology analysis, we asked them to expedite the testing and because we asked for several different tests to be done it’s not uncommon for sometimes the results to take longer than the time that the lab gives. So we were screening for all commonly encountered illicit drugs, pharmaceutical medications, we also screened for carbon monoxide, as well as volatile gases.”