Police Step Up Drug Interdiction on Ambergris
A sizeable haul of powder cocaine, packaged into twenty-five individual bricks, is said to remain under strict police security pending destruction in the coming days. The find which is worth an estimated half a million Belize dollars was the result of privileged information provided to San Pedro police. That intelligence led them to a location on the island where they retrieved a sack containing the illicit cargo. While a date has not been set, Inspector Fitzroy Yearwood confirms that law enforcement activities have been ramped up on San Pedro and Caye Caulker in anticipation of any fallout resulting from the weekend bust.
Fitzroy Yearwood
Insp. Fitzroy Yearwood, Media Officer, Belize Police Department
“It was part of police intelligence work. I also want to highlight that San Pedro police do regular patrols up the coast on the northern end of San Pedro. We have boat patrols, we have motorcycle patrols that go along the beach and the effort at San Pedro and Caye Caulker is tremendous. I can tell you that the finding of that twenty-five parcels was based on information, intelligence work on the part of San Pedro police.”
Reporter
“Now sir, a quantity of drugs like this has a great street value and I am certain somebody owns it and somebody wants to own it. Are you guys giving any special security measures to keeping it safe and have you all planned a date for the destruction of these drugs?”
Insp. Fitzroy Yearwood
“The date for the destruction has not yet been set but I know that it will be in the not too distant future and of course the media will accompany us if we extend that invitation. I know you will be there. But you rightly said, it should have an owner and somebody will be looking for it and we have stepped up our patrols out there specifically because of that thought. But I can assure you that San Pedro police are not just relaxing and if we found one we are looking to see if there is anymore and we will continue to safeguard the citizens of San Pedro and Caye Caulker.”
Isani Cayetano
“Have you been able to quantify the local value of this find?”
Insp. Fitzroy Yearwood
“The local value from street sources is in the tune of about four hundred and fifty thousand dollars.”
