A Treasure Trove of Guns, Ammunitions and Drugs Seized in Chan Chen

No one has been detained, but police on Sunday afternoon made a massive bust of drugs, firearms and ammunition for the AK forty-seven rifle in northern Belize. The police proceeded to the village of Chan Chen which is located off the Philip Goldson Highway and not far from the northern border, an area known for contraband and other illicit activity. Based on information obtained, they conducted an anti-drug search which gave way to a cache of illegal firearms, ammo, bulletproof vests and thirty-five thousand seven hundred and forty pounds of cannabis, the equivalent of seventy-eight point seven pounds. No one was in the area, but given the find, police have spoiled drug operations in that hotspot. This morning, police detailed the long list of items seized.

Joseph Myvett

ACP Joseph Myvett, Head, National Crimes Investigation Branch

“On yesterday’s date, Sunday, July eighth, shortly after five p.m., Corozal police visited an area in Chan Chen whereupon arrival a search was conducted in a bushy area which is usually frequented by those involved in the contraband trade where the police discovered forty-three parcels of cannabis weighing a total of thirty-five point seven-four kilograms and one thousand, eight hundred and ninety-two rounds of assorted ammunition which includes five point five-six, seven point six-two, nine millimeters, twelve gauge cartridges and other ammunition.  Also recovered was one pump twelve shotgun, one AR-15 rifle, two bulletproof vests and other paraphernalia.”

Reporter

“All this was found in one…”

ACP Joseph Myvett

“Yes, they were found in one area.”

Reporter

“Were police acting on information received?”

ACP Joseph Myvett

“The police have been looking at that area for a while.  Based on intelligence and some surveillance, the operation was conducted.”

Reporter

“Now sir, is this related?  We know that it was near a contraband hotspot, but is it, you all believed, related to narco-trafficking activities?”

ACP Joseph Myvett

“Well it would be because an amount of cannabis was found so it would have to be related to.”

Reporter

“I should say then, is it related to international narco-trafficking activities where we know that planes are landing and have been landing in the north, etc… and there is a type of organized activity which some might choose to call cartel?”

ACP Joseph Myvett

“No, we are not able to say that based on the investigation that is being conducted.”