Investigation will determine chopper?s fate
It landed on the Belize side of the Sarstoon River, allegedly after dodging an armed party of pursuers that, depending on whose story you want to believe, included the Guatemalan police, army, air force, and U.S. D.E.A.. Tonight the Bell 206 helicopter with two bullet holes remains under guard in the Toledo District awaiting its final disposition. According to Minister of Defence, Godfrey Smith, a decision on the aircraft’s fate will be made shortly.
Godfrey Smith, Minister of Defence
“Well obviously it was part of a drug operation, but I wouldn?t want to prejudice by commenting to prematurely. The matter is still being investigated fully by our local law enforcement authorities and I believe on the Guatemala side they are doing full investigations as well.”
Patrick Jones
“The Guatemala Ambassador is on record as saying that Guatemala would want the plane back. Why should we send it back?”
Godfrey Smith
“Well the arguments I have been given is that they request it as a key piece of evidence in an operation that is meant to target people involved in drug trafficking on the Guatemalan side. We can?t really take a decision until all our own investigations are in place and all the various relevant sectors Home Affairs, Defence, Foreign Affairs get together with that data and take a decision.”
Patrick Jones
“But even though that plane entered country illegally is it conceivable that it could be sent back to Guatemala?”
Godfrey Smith
“Well we wouldn?t want to close the doors to the possibility. As I said, if they are making a very, very strong case that it was a major operation, then we are prepared to listen. We have to satisfy ourselves on our side first as to exactly what transpired.”
Smith says the investigation should be wrapping up any time now.
