Fishermen Walking Reef In search of Cocaine

Rear Admiral Elton Bennett, Commandant of the Belize Coast Guard (BCG), has confirmed an uptick in activity along the reefs, with Belizean fishermen suspected of seeking illicit substances. He told News 5, “We have seen an increased activity in the Turneffe area. It is our operational responsibility to ensure that we board, search, engage and interview where necessary all those individuals that we come across.”

Bennett stated that the Turneffe area continues being an area of concern. He said that the Coast Guard patrols “in Calabash Caye are very active in pursuing these individuals who may be involved in criminal activities in that area,” Bennett stated.

On Monday, the Belize Coast Guard operating from the Calabash Caye responded to reports of an individual “who was working in the Turneffe Atoll area and had suspected cocaine in his possession.”

He said the patrol team investigated and “discovered what appears to be suspected cocaine”. The man was detained, and the substance was confiscated. The suspect was handed over to police for further questioning.

Bennett also confirmed that last week, the coast guard had detained another individual who had been “aggressive towards another party in the activities of beachcombing. So we are aware of that, and we are doing our best to keep an eye on these individuals,” he said.