Four Arrested in Sarteneja Cocaine Bust 

Police have arrested and charged four individuals following a major drug bust in northern Belize.

On the night of Wednesday, September 18, around 9:00 p.m., authorities executed a search warrant at the residence of 35-year-old Armando Torrez, a Belizean fisherman from the Corozal District. Present at the home were 36-year-old Mirna Durantes, 32-year-old Delwyn Novelo, and 37-year-old Nigel Neal. While Torrez, Durantes, and Novelo are from the Corozal District, Neal hails from the Belize District.

The search uncovered 25 parcels of suspected cocaine, weighing a total of 28.38 kilograms (62.57 pounds). Samples were taken from all the parcels for further analysis.

The following day, police charged Armando Israel Torres, Mirna Mira Durantes, Delwyn Gildardo Novelo, and Nigel Alexander Neal with “Possession of Controlled Drugs with Intent to Supply.” They were arraigned at the Corozal Magistrate’s Court, where Torres pleaded guilty with an explanation, while the other three pleaded not guilty. Torres did not enter a formal plea, and all four have been remanded to the Kolbe Foundation until November 15, 2024.