Airplane Crash Lands in Northern Belize
An aircraft reportedly crash landed near the Blue Creek community in northern Belize just before four o’clock on Friday afternoon. Police say that while they have been able to determine that the flight originated in Mexico, they have been unable to determine where it was heading. At this time two Mexicans have been arrested and charged for landing an aircraft without permission. Police say that some containers with what is suspected to be aviation fuel were found in the area. Today ACP Joseph shared details of what they know about this aircraft and its occupants.
ACP Joseph Myvett, Head, National Crimes Investigation Branch
“Police were called to an airstrip in the Blue Creek area of Orange Walk where upon arrival they observed a single engine red and white plane which had apparently crash landed on the air strip. At that point of the police’s arrival, two persons were found there namely Ramon Lopez Perez , a fifty-year-old Mexican national and Humberto Miranda Gonzalez thirty-nine-year-old Mexican national were found in the vicinity of the aircraft. They reported that they were experiencing some kind of engine problems and as a result were forced to land in the area. An investigation was carried out after they were taken into custody and police have since arrested and charged Ramon Perez for landing an aircraft without the permission of the Minister of Civil Aviation, whilst Humberto Gonzalez was charged with conspiracy to landing an aircraft without the permission of the Minister responsible for the Civil Aviation.”
Joseph Myvett
Andrea Polanco
“Sir, is there any suspicion that perhaps the plane landed for a different reason other than what they are claiming?”
ACP Joseph Myvett
“It could have been. We are looking into that possibility as a number of fuel containers were found not too far away from the aircraft where just a little bit of fuel was found in those containers.”
Andrea Polanco
“Anything illegal found onboard the aircraft, sir?”
ACP Joseph Myvett
“Nothing illegal, I think, other than the fact that the pilot was found with a very small amount of cocaine on his person – zero point seven grams, I believe. And he has also since Friday been arrested and charged for that.”
Andrea Polanco
“Are you able to share if perhaps all the occupants onboard the flight that morning were found on the scene or were persons able to flee before the police arrive?”
ACP Joseph Myvett
“No we haven’t been able to establish that. An identification belonging to another person was also found in the aircraft but that person wasn’t found by the police.”
Andrea Polanco
“Did they share if that person was onboard at the time?”
ACP Joseph Myvett
“No. They didn’t.”
Andrea Polanco
“Are they cooperating with the authorities, sir?”
ACP Joseph Myvett
“No. They are not cooperating with the authorities.”
Andrea Polanco
“The individuals found – any background information as to who they are? Has anything come up on the police’s radar in terms of maybe connection to illicit activities?”
ACP Joseph Myvett
“Not as yet but we are in communication with our Mexican counterparts at this time as a part of the investigation.”
