Another Suspected Drug Plane Down in Corozal

The illicit drug trade appears to be thriving in northern Belize.  In the past twenty-four-hours, two suspected drug planes, or what was left of them, were found at different locations in Orange Walk and Corozal Districts. This morning, the news was that a drug plane landed early on Monday night in an isolated area near Libertad Village in the Corozal District. Indications are that the twin engine beech aircraft was set on fire on landing and by the time the police arrived on the scene, the cargo, believed to be cocaine, had already been removed. Hours prior to the Santa Cruz landing, in Indian Church, another drug plane was found.   The trend is that the plane land, its cargo unloaded and then the aircraft is burned. News Five’s Duane Moody was at the scene in Santa Cruz and files the following report.

Duane Moody, Reporting

Sometime after eight o’clock on Monday night, police were tipped off of yet another plane landing in northern Belize; this time, in an area known as Santa Cruz just outside of Libertad Village, Corozal District.  The plane, a twin-engine beech craft suspected to have been carrying drugs, was discovered engulfed in flames, presumably to destroy any evidence of the illicit activity.

Supt. Sinquest Martinez, O.C., Corozal Police

“I sent out a team of police officers out there and when they got out there, they saw a plane in flames. We conducted searches within the area last night and this morning and we haven’t found anything with respect to the plane except the remains of a plane that have been found.”

Searches conducted in the area led to the discovery of the lighting apparatus used to signal the landing site for the pilot. The cargo, however, had already been offloaded and removed from the area. Today, as police guarded the scene on the ground, a Belize Defense Force chopper hovered above across Corozal as it is suspected that the cargo may still be in the country and attempts will be made to transport the drugs further north and across the Mexican border.

Supt. Sinquest Martinez

“I don’t want to make any assumptions at this time, but I have my officers out there doing some investigations with the assistance of the B.D.F. and that is around the district doing some other work along with us; it’s a teamwork that we are presently doing.”

Sinquest Martinez

Duane Moody

“Now sir, that area is known traditionally for the landing of aircraft carrying illicit cargo. What kind of interventions are the police doing to ensure that they have a grip on what’s happening in that area?”

Supt. Sinquest Martinez

“What we normally do, we do village patrols and that’s one of the areas that we go often; unfortunately, we were a little bit late getting there last night.”

There are reports that there were several other successful landings that occurred in Patchakan and Sarteneja. But Corozal Police Commander, Superintendent Sinquest Martinez, could not confirm this. He says, however, that criminal activities like these have both national and international impact.

Supt. Sinquest Martinez

“It is a concern because it can have a balloon effect on us. It’s drugs that we are dealing with and drugs bring its own violence and cash which can affect us in the northern part of the country.”

This is the second suspected drug plane discovered in northern Belize in two days. On Monday morning, a twin-engine aircraft was also discovered burnt in the area of Indian Church Village in Orange Walk. That was the third such suspected drug plane to have been destroyed after landing illegally in the area; its cargo nowhere to be found.

ACP Joseph Myvett, Head, National Crimes Investigation Branch [File: February 26^th, 2018]

“An aircraft was discovered partially burnt somewhere between Indian Church and Hill Bank villages in the Orange Walk District. Police are now on the scene investigating that matter.”

Joseph Myvett

Duane Moody

“What is it that police suspect? Was it used for illicit activity, carrying drugs? Were any persons in the area? Did any persons in the area hear an aircraft flying in that area?”

ACP Joseph Myvett

“At this point, the investigation is in its very early stages. The police was acting on an information from someone and the police may just be on the ground at this point in time to commence their investigation.”

Duane Moody for News Five.