Belize police force applauded for major firearms seizure
Home Affairs Minister Kareem Musa has lauded the Belize police force for what he describes as one of the most significant arms busts in the nation’s history.
The operation, conducted by the Special Patrol Unit (SPU) on an island near Belize City, yielded a substantial cache of high-powered firearms, prompting discussions at the Cabinet level regarding the potential extension of a state of emergency (SOE) set to expire next Friday.
Unprecedented arms seizure
Minister Musa emphasized the magnitude of the seizure, asserting that such a substantial collection of illegal weapons had not been witnessed in recent memory.
The successful operation also resulted in the confiscation of a notable quantity of cannabis and cocaine, further underscoring the gravity of the police's findings.
Crackdown on criminal activity
The operation unfolded during an endeavor by the Belize Police Department to locate and apprehend several gang members.
In addition to discovering illicit drugs, the SPU uncovered a cache of high-caliber firearms, indicating a significant disruption to criminal networks in the area.
Among those apprehended during the operation were Edwin “Drive” Flowers, Gaston Barrow, and Kenyon Dominguez, all facing charges related to drug possession and illegal weapons possession.
Ongoing evaluation of state of emergency
With the current SOE scheduled to conclude next Friday, Minister Musa revealed that discussions are underway within the Cabinet regarding its potential extension.
Despite facing scrutiny over its effectiveness, particularly in light of its impact on civil liberties, the SOE has proven instrumental in targeting known gang members and disrupting their operations, including the trafficking of illicit substances and firearms.
