Ministry of National Security Responds to Social Media Posts on Suspected Drug Plane Landings

The Belize Police Department is tonight responding to social media posts made by a Facebook account under the name “Vincent Edwards.” The sensational posts make reference to suspected drug plane landings in the north since the beginning of the year. Photographs show parcels of suspected drugs inside an aircraft before it was destroyed by fire. In the post, Edwards also makes reference to a notebook containing flight plans of the illegal landings, which he says the police was in position of, and alleges there has to be protection by government officials.  In its release today, the Ministry of National Security refutes the information, but confirms that in March of this year, the Department retrieved a notebook containing coordinates among the remains of a crash site. It also denies that any drugs were found on scene or elsewhere.  All items found were taken into custody by the police as part of the investigation process, but not all were disclosed to the public. As expected, the ministry also denied that there was involvement of any police officers or government officials, but the release does say that they have an idea who is behind the landing, but have little evidence to take action against those persons. This evening, News Five spoke to C.E.O. George Lovell:

On the Phone: (Ret’d) Col. George Lovell, C.E.O., Ministry of National Security

“The ministry had put out a press release earlier today which clearly articulates and covers the ministry’s position at this time.  We refute the allegations made that there are any police officers or any government officials known at this time that may have participated in any landing or facilitation of any illicit activity as the media reported yesterday.”

Isani Cayetano

“This individual who made the post is also alleging that the department was in possession of a notebook which was purportedly to be used as evidence.  The content of the book, however, had what appears to be the GPS coordinates of these clandestine airfields.  Can you speak to us whether or not the police department was able to act on the information contained within or if it wasn’t seen as something that was actionable?”

On the Phone: (Ret’d) Col. George Lovell

“Well, again, I don’t want to go into police operations and the reason why is because these are matters that are ongoing and the information that can come out of a discussion of that nature can compromise future operations.  And so, honestly I don’t want to go there.  I can tell you that what we have put in that press release is basically what we intend to have as discussion on this matter and for us to bring closure to it.  I am hoping that when you go through that release you will see the reasons why we are not at liberty at this time for us to go into or get involved in any other substantive discussion on the matter.  We believe that someone obviously is out for mischief and that’s the reason why that post was placed on social media the way it was.  If anyone out there has any information that they would want to share with us that we can actually look at anyone who may be involved, may it be police officers or may it be the general public out there, they can get that information to my office.  My number can be shared with them.  My office is at the Ministry of National Security in the SIF Building on Constitution Drive in Belmopan and I can assure them that there will be no sort of disclosure as to who has provided the ministry with the relevant information that they have.  I do know that there is a trust issue here and I respect that and if it is that they need for me to go to a third party, I am quite prepared to have a third party be provided, someone who may be outside of government who deals with these matters also.  And so, I can have that discussion with them if they so choose to go down that route.”

Isani Cayetano

“Can you confirm whether or not there was an operation, a raid on the residence or the premises of this individual who made this post earlier this morning?”

On the Phone: (Ret’d) Col. George Lovell

“I don’t know, you would have to have a conversation with the Commissioner of Police or the Acting Commissioner since Whylie is out of the country and Chester Williams is holding over.  So you would have to have that conversation with them to confirm.”

Earlier today, we received word that a pre-dawn raid was conducted at the house of “Vincent Edwards” Martinez, but the Acting Commissioner of Police Chester Williams, who is in charge of operations, told News Five that (Quote) “I don’t know of any operation at Martinez’s home.” (Unquote)