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.”