Separate Teams Deployed to Investigate Cases of Multiple Murders at Sea

A total of seven persons have been murdered at sea in less than five days, including the quintuple murder in the Mapp Caye/Swallow Caye area and the double murder in San Pedro. Today, the Ministry of National Security issued a release, condemning the violence in all forms, assuring the public that no stones will be left unturned to bring those responsible to justice. The ministry, however, reassures the public that there is no indication that there is any generalized threat to public safety. The release says, “there is a tendency for crime to spike after reports of illicit activities related to the transhipment of drugs that are destined for North America find its way on Belize’s shores…The Ministry of National Security cautions the public to stay away from any strange packages found floating at sea and report any such sighting to the nearest Police Station or Coast Guard base. Do not attempt to retrieve or take possession of any such packages.” The release ends by saying that the Police Department in conjunction with the Belize Coast Guard has stepped up patrols along the coast and within Belize’s territorial waters. Earlier today, at the police briefing, ComPol Chester Williams announced that two teams have been launched to investigation both cases.

Chester Williams

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“I have directed two investigation teams. One team will be dealing with the five murders from the Mapp and Swallow Caye area and the other team will be dealing with the double murder in San Pedro yesterday. These teams are being headed each by a senior investigator. The one from Mapp Caye/Swallow Caye is headed by Inspector Aban and the double murder in San Pedro is headed by Inspector Gonzalez. Both senior investigators will have a complement of investigators to assist in those investigations. Mister Romero has been assigned as the case manager for the Swallow Caye/Mapp Caye murders and Mister Myvett is the case manager for the double murder in San Pedro. And so, just as we did with the triple murder earlier in the month, we are ensuring that we deal with these investigations in the most expedient and professional manner. At the end of the day, we believe that the families of those persons who had died deserve closure and deserve justice. And so as a police department, we are going to ensure that we do our part.”