Local Narco-Traffickers Operating in Carmelita, Orange Walk
Chester Williams
Are locals playing a more integral role in the illegal landing of these drug planes? Rather than just clearing out the area ahead of the landing, they may be facilitating the moving of the cargo across the border. According to ComPol Chester Williams, there are a number of narco-traffickers known to police, who live in Carmelita Village, Orange Walk. Interestingly, these people were not at home when police went looking for them.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“We believe that the narco-traffickers are from within that general Carmelita area. There are a couple of them who operate out of Carmelita. We know who they are and those are the persons we’re looking for. As a matter of fact, we had gone to their homes yesterday as I had directed the team to make sure we go to their homes yesterday morning to see if they were there and they were not at home. So that again says something that they could be involved and are still out in the field dealing with the cargo. Certainly, the local people are the ones who know our terrain, they know the ins and outs of those areas. The Mexican cartel who would normally come would not be acquainted with our terrain or acquainted with how to manoeuvre the jungles so they do rely on our local people who are from the particular areas to help them in that regards. So certainly, they are not only clearing space, but they are also involved in the movement of these drugs. We are not going to shy away from the fact that we certainly do understand that there are police officers, who work with these cartels, but when they manifest themselves then we deal with them. At this time, we have nothing to suggest that police officers are involved in these two latest landings. If it is that something should come up later on to suggest that, then we do our investigation and move from there.”
ComPol Williams says that the department is working with the U.S. Embassy to enhance police presence and response within these remote areas in southern Belize being used for illegal plane landings.
