2024-11-18 - Channel 5 Belize

Police Under Investigation for Potential Involvement in Drug Plane Land

On Friday morning, around nine a.m., police responded to a farmer’s report in the Cayo District about a possible drug plane landing in the Frank’s Eddy area. When they arrived, they found a single-engine plane on the side of a dirt road. Upon closer inspection, they discovered that all the passenger seats had been stripped out. While no drugs were found inside, the investigation is still ongoing. Today, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams revealed that a police officer is under investigation for possible involvement in the case.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“We are still trying to ascertain exactly what cargo came on that plane but as usual we suspect that it could be cocaine. We are looking for one individual likewise who we believe may be able to provide some information to us as it relates to that plane landing. And I can also say to you, I don’t want to hide nothing say to you that we had detained a police officer, a female police officer because we believe that she facilitated a person the person who we believe landed that aircraft in, signing in at the police station outside our was stipulated by the court this person is on bail for a previous plane landing and as a condition to his bail he was ordered to report or to sign in to the Belmopan police station every Friday between eight a.m. and five p.m. Surprisingly, the same night the plane landed, he came to sign in at the Belmopan Police Station after twelve midnight. That would be around the same time the plane would be landing. And this female police officer facilitated him to the extent that she took the diary from inside the station and took it outside of the station for him to sign. That for us is an egregious breach. I’m not going to say that she is involved in the plane landing. What are actions in facilitating this individual knowing who he is to have signed in at that particular moment is extremely questionable. And professional standard branch is looking at that matter and we expect that charges will be levied against her for breach of our internal policy.”

Police Ordered to Burn Suspected Drug Plane

The police are still on the hunt for suspects involved in the landing of a suspected drug plane in the Cayo District. They haven’t yet recovered the plane’s contents. To prevent any further illegal activities, the police decided to burn the plane after they found it. Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, shared more details about why they made that call.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“We have searched the entire area, including using drones, and we have not been able to do the Sibun River is not too far away from the area where the plane landed, so we believe that if there was any cargo on board the aircraft, it may have left the area via the Sibun River.”

Reporter

“Is there plans to upgrade the radar?”

Chester Williams

“That’s a matter that we’re looking at. JIAC would be in a better position to explain why they were unable to provide to us any tracking on that particular night in question, as you would know, we’re not the ones who work or manages JIAC. We would normally be fed with information coming out of JIAC as released to the illicit tracking. And then once we get those informations, then we would then activate our operational teams. to go into different areas that we would anticipate the plane may likely land. But in this case, that did not occur.”

Britney Gordon

“How was this plane disposed of? Because we came to an understanding that it was burnt. Why was this the case?”

Chester Williams

“Yes that’s a directive that the plane be destroyed. Again it’s the trend that we do now. Instead of putting these planes out for action and sold to the highest bidder, It’s a policy now that we destroy them so as not to have these planes reused. We have seen instances before where the planes were actioned off and then next thing we know the planes end up right back in business again with another set of cargo. So to eliminate that from happening, these aircraft are not destroyed on spot.”

Reporter

“Is this the first plane to have landed suspected drug planes Corozon Creek last December?”

Chester Williams

“Yes.”

Reporter

“And that is because the radar usually picks it up and police toward it, right?”

Chester Williams

“Yes. Okay.”

Reporter

“Do you know how much time elapsed between the landing of the plane, approximately, to when the police got the information?”

Chester Williams

“From our best information, the plane may have landed sometime after midnight. Based on our discussion with people in the area having heard the plane around that time. And we got the information around nine in the morning. That’s ten hours, basically. Alright. Nine to 10 hours by the time the cargo could be far gone.”

Police Detain Free Zone Robbers Who Stole Millions

Over the weekend, a group of men pulled off a heist at a warehouse in the Corozal Free Zone, making off with millions of Mexican pesos. The police acted swiftly and managed to detain three suspects, including a security guard. Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, credited their quick response for the arrests. Here are more details on the story.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“Yesterday, morning before the police were notified of a within the free zone. Based on that information the Corozal police mobilized and went to the area. They conducted searches utilizing drones and they were able to locate two individuals who are suspected to have been a part of that burglary. Police also found a bag containing some pesos, and Mexican pesos, along with a few Belize dollars and a few U.S. currency. The bag of money was taken to the Corozal police station, where it was counted, and it amounted to a total of ten thousand four point something million pesos. I think just over two hundred plus US dollars and a small amount of police currency. The two individuals are currently detained. I’m not aware of the total amount of monies stolen during the burglary. I think we’re still trying to ascertain that that figure, but so far we believe we have two of the suspects in custody. We’re still looking for an additional two more persons. We’re hoping that we’ll be able to find them very shortly. And then we see how we go from there.”

Reporter

“How are they able to conduct the robbery?”

Chester Williams

“It’s not a robbery. It’s a burglary. From what we get out again is that it did so in collusion with The security guard who worked at the the establishment. So that security guard is also in custody as a part of our investigation.”

Reporter

“How are you guys able, the quick response to be able to capture them?”

Chester Williams

“The calls were received and the police responded quickly.”

Reporter

“Are these people, they’re Belizean?”

Chester Williams

“Yes, Belizean, yes.”

Reporter

“And are they known to police?”

Chester Williams

“Yes, they’re from Belize City. “

ComPol Asks Public to Exercise Empathy After Police House Shot up

Last week, police got word that a police corporal’s house in Corozal had been shot at. Around 12:30 a.m. in the Finca Solana area, Officer Martin Marin dashed outside after hearing gunfire. He says he heard a motorcycle speeding away as he stepped out. A jeep belonging to Police Inspector Kimara Lopez was also hit, with two bullet holes found and several spent shells scattered around. Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, shared more details about the incident.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“We have a basic idea of who are those persons behind it and the police have been going after these individuals and contrary to what I saw on social media and again, I want the Belizean people that we cannot be insensitive to the issues, especially where the potential loss of life existed. And we can’t be too harsh on the police officers who are out there every day making sure that you’re safe. I saw some of the comments where people were saying, it’s not good for the police, or the police are chancey, or the police this, the police that, Those comments are very disgusting. At the end of the day, we, we cannot live in a society where the police is not respected because if the criminals don’t respect the police, then how do you expect as an ordinary citizen, criminals are going to respect you? We have to be careful of what we promote or what we encourage. And again, the police officer in question, whose house was, was shot up, he’s an extremely hard-working police, and I can say a very decent one as well. You don’t hear his name out there involved in any criminal activities, but certainly he goes after criminals and perhaps that’s the reason why he was targeted because he’s extremely tough on those persons in the Corozal district who are hell bent on committing crime. So this is an officer who is out there every day. doing his best going above and beyond to ensure the safety of the people across our town. And I think that he ought to be commended. And in a time like this, where we saw that he was targeted, we need to sympathize with him and at the same time extend whatever support we can to make him feel comfortable in continuing to discharge his duties as a police officer.”

C.E.O. of Lands Under Investigation for Fatal RTA

C.E.O. in the Ministry of Natural Resources, Paul Thompson is currently under investigation after a man was killed in a fatal accident on Friday. Reports are that forty-four-year-old Zacharias Tescecum, was hit while attempting to cross the road somewhere between mile forty-one and forty-two in Cotton Tree Village. Upon arrival, police found Thompson’s grey SUV on the right-hand side of the George Price highway facing East with a damaged front bumper and grill. Tescecum was found motionless under the vehicle with multiple head and body injuries, and a broken right foot. ACP Hilberto Romero gave us more details on the incident.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Friday the fifteenth day of November, 2020 fourth, there was a road traffic accident between miles forty-one or forty-two at a cotton tree police visit the year where they saw a GMC terrain vehicle with damages. The driver of that vehicle reported that he was driving when suddenly male person crossed his spot and he knocked on the male person and the male person was taken for treatment, where he succumbed to his injuries. He was identified as Zacharias Tescecum and an investigation is ongoing at this time the driver was served with an NIP and samples were taken from him.”

Reporter
“The name of the driver sir?”

Hilberto Romero

“The driver has not been charged so I won’t say the name.”

Reporter

“But we usually report names of drivers who are in attendance even before they’re charged. And especially if they served with an NIP.”

Hilberto Romero

“I’ll get back to that.”

Reporter

“if this person who was crossing, was he crossing at the, at the, some type of pedestrian or was he just crossing the road?”

Hilberto Romero

“He was just crossing the road.”

Reporter

“Okay. Was it dark and then did you ever maybe couldn’t see him?”

Hilberto Romero

“There’s light enough there.”

19-Year-Old Perishes in Motorcycle Accident

Last week, tragedy struck when nineteen-year-old Carlos Romero lost his life after being hit by a ten-wheeler truck while riding his motorcycle. Around 3 p.m. on Thursday, Lo Ammi-Gomez was driving near the intersection of Saint Jude and Saint Peter Streets in the Maya Mopan area when he heard a loud noise outside his vehicle. When he got out to check, he found Romero trapped under the truck’s right rear wheel. ACP Hilberto Romero provided more details on this heartbreaking incident.

A.C.P. Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Thursday, the 14th of November 2024, around 3 p.m., police responded to a fatal road traffic Mopan in Belmopan. Upon arrival, they saw a ten-wheeler truck and a motorcycle with damaged. Information received that the motorcycle collided with the truck, causing the driver of the motorcycle to be chopped under the tires of the truck. I don’t know. The person was removed, and he was identified as Carlos Romero. He was taken for treatment where he succumbed to his injuries. An N.I.P has been served on the driver of the truck and an investigation is ongoing and at the end, we will determine if any charges will be levied.”

Reporter

Do police know who was at fault?

A.C.P. Hilberto Romero

“Not at this time. We have an ongoing investigation that will be determined.”

Britney Gordon

“What mile did this happen?”

A.C.P Hilberto Romero

“This happened at my Mopan area in Belmopan.”

Reporter

“Was the driver of the cycle wearing a helmet?”

A.C.P Hilberto Romero

“I’m not sure, I’d have to confirm.”

Reporter

“And urine samples were taken?”

A.C.P Hilberto Romero

“Yes, those were taken.”

Thousands of Dollars Lost in Fire in Valley of Peace

On Friday, a fire in the Cayo District led to the loss of over fifty thousand dollars in cash. Tan’s Store, located in the Valley of Peace area, was already engulfed in flames by the time authorities arrived. The store owner, Jing Pan Tan, reported damages totaling over one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, including property, cash, legal documents, and several licensed guns. ACP Hilberto Romero provided more details on this devastating incident.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“The fifteenth of November, 2024, police responded to a house fire in the Valley of Peace. Upon arrival, there is a building completely engulfed in flames. Jing Tan reported that he was at home when he saw smoke in the kitchen area. Thereafter the building caught fire several items are damaged including two firearms. An investigation is being carried out to try and determine the cause of the fire.”

Reporter

“Those firearms were licensed?”

Hilberto Romero

“Yeah, they were licensed firearms.”

Reporter

“Does he have any suspicions of what might have caused it?”

Hilberto Romero

“He saw smoke coming from the kitchen area. And then The fire engulfed the building from there.”

Reporter

“Was he home alone?”

Hilberto Romero

“There were other persons there but he was home at the time.”

Britney Gordon

“Any injuries?”

Hilberto Romero

“No injuries were reported.”

The Honorable Shyne; What Does PM Briceno Think?

The biography of Shyne Barrow, titled ‘The Honorable Shyne,’ premiered today on Hulu. This ‘rags to riches’ documentary dives deep into the life of the former hip hop artist turned politician. It covers his rise in the music industry, his ten-year stint in prison, his deportation to Belize, and his entry into politics. We caught up with Prime Minister John Briceño earlier today to get his thoughts on Shyne’s latest project.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Unfortunately for him, he is not running in the United States. He is running in Belize and I don’t think he’s getting any kind of coverage, the coverage that he is getting in Belize, let’s put it this way, is not coverage any kind of leader would want to get. But again, timing, it just so happened that P. Diddy has been arrested for a lot of alleged crimes, sexual, drugs, and all kind of stuff and Shyne was a part of that world. I don’t know if he was part of that, but it just so happened that he, according to him, said it back then during that time, that he took the fall for P. Diddy. It’s good marketing for him, he’s taking advantage, when a man is down is stepping on him to try to lift his profile. You don’t usually do that. I can be doing that to him every day, but it’s good theater for him. I am happy for him and he can continue doing that in the United States because that’s the life he wants. He doesn’t want to be here in Belize, he wants to be in the United States of America. The minute he became the Leader of the Opposition, the first thing he did he asked the Black Caucus in Congress is to support him in getting a visa. He’s pretty much more in the US than here and good for him. I have no envy for him, I don’t envy him. I am happy to be in Belize, Belize is my home, it’s the only home I’ve ever had and I don’t plan to go anywhere. Will I see the documentary when it becomes available? Of course, I will, and then see how they have spun things. I am sure that if the producers were to come and interview the people that were praising him back then, I’m sure you’d get a different picture. But they probably know that by now.”

Police Activity Expected at 19th Celebrations

Garifuna Settlement Day is just around the corner, and the celebrations are already in full swing. As Belizeans come together to honor the historic arrival of the Garifuna people, the police will be on duty to keep things peaceful and orderly. Today, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams encouraged everyone to enjoy the festivities but reminded the public to do so respectfully, without infringing on others’ rights.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“We are actively involved in the policing of the nineteenth time celebration activities in Belize City, in Belmopan and down south. I think those are the areas where we are seeing activities. Our specialized units will be deployed to these activities to assist the local police in ensuring the safety of people. I just want to encourage your call upon our citizens who are going to these events to celebrate the 19th, so please do so in such a way that you don’t expose yourself to harm. And if you’re going to enjoy yourself, do so in such a way that you don’t infringe on the rights of people. If you’re going to drive, don’t drink. If you’re going to drink, don’t drive at the end of the day, we want everyone to celebrate. And when the celebrations are over, we want everyone to go home to the family safe. That’s the important thing. And so making sure that we are civil in how we celebrate is important. And so I just want to ask everybody who are going to be a part of this nineteenth celebration to always consider the other person that is around and try not to do anything to hurt or to harm anybody. And once that is done, then I think we should be able to come back on Wednesday to say that, you know, we had a good nineteenth celebration.”

Female Police Officer Involve in Drug Plane Landing?

A woman police officer is being investigated on suspicions that she may have played a role in the recent drug plane landing.

On Friday morning, a farmer discovered the abandoned single-engine aircraft near Frank’s Eddy Village, parked along a dirt road. Authorities believe the plane was used to smuggle narcotics into the country from South America. The interior was completely gutted, and no drugs were found onboard.

Police Commissioner Chester Williams explained that additional searches of the area uncovered “some lights that we believe were used to align the landing strip for the plane along with other few items that we believe were used in facilitating the plane landing.” While the specific cargo remains undetermined, he stated, “We are still trying to ascertain exactly what cargo came on that plane, but as usual, we suspect that it could be cocaine.” Authorities are searching for an individual who may have information about the landing.

Williams also disclosed the detention of a female police officer who allegedly facilitated suspicious activity linked to the landing. “We had detained a female police officer because we believe that she facilitated a person, the person who we believe landed that aircraft, in signing in at the police station outside the hours stipulated by the court.”

He added, “This person is out on bail for a previous plane landing and as a condition to his bail, he was ordered to report or to sign in to the police station every Friday between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Surprisingly, the same night the plane landed, he came to sign in at the police station after 12 midnight. That would be around the same time the plane would be landing. And this female police officer facilitated him to the extent that she took the diary from inside the station and took it outside of the station for him to sign.”

Williams described this as “an egregious breach,” stating, “I’m not going to say that she is involved in a plane landing. But her actions in facilitating this individual, knowing who he is, to have signed in at that particular moment is extremely questionable. So, Professional Standards Branch is looking at that matter, and we expect that charges will be levied against her for breach of our internal policy.”

Despite extensive searches, including the use of drones, police have not located the cargo. “The Sibun River is not too far away from the area where the plane landed, so we believe that if there was any cargo on board the aircraft, it may have, left the area via the Sibun River.”

The drug plane was destroyed by fire on site. “It’s the trend that we do now, instead of putting these planes out for auction and sold to the highest bidder, it’s a policy now that we destroy them so as not to have these planes reused. We have seen instances before where, the planes were auctioned off and then next thing we know, the planes end up right back in Belize again with another set of cargo.”

Suspected Drug Plane Found