Guns, Drugs, and Denials: Police Show Off Major SOE Seizures

It was a dramatic display at today’s police press conference as officers unveiled a haul of high-powered rifles, ammunition, cannabis, and cocaine—all seized during ongoing operations under the State of Emergency (SOE). The Belize Police Department says the crackdown is yielding results, with a significant number of illegal weapons and drugs taken off the streets. But not everyone is convinced. For years, there’s been speculation that some criminal figures are handing over weapons and drugs in exchange for their freedom, a kind of quiet deal to avoid charges. Today, we put that question directly to the Commissioner of Police Doctor Richard Rosado. His response? A firm and vehement denial. “That is absolutely not happening,” he told reporters.

 

Supt. Jeff Gabourel, Commander, GI3

“We seized ten nine-millimeter pistol, one point twenty-five pistol, one point thirty-eight revolver, two shotguns and one two point two-three rifles. In respect to ammunition, we seized fifteen forty caliber rounds of ammunition and ninety-seven nine mm ammunition. In respect to cannabis, three thousand three hundred and twenty-six grams of cannabis was seized and nine hundred and ninety-seven grams of cocaine was seized.”

 

Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police

“First of all I want to reaffirm our commitment to transparency and upholding the rule of law. Any alleged suggestion that police are lenient to violent offenders is inaccurate and just an attempt to disregard the dedicated efforts of our police officers and the integrity of operations. Many of the firearms that were seized were based on the extensive interviews conducted and based on those information operations were conducted.”