New Minister of National Security Comments on Drug Seizure

Michael Peyrefitte

The most recent drug bust, on record as the largest confiscation of narcotics in Belize‘s history, comes on the heels of the latest Cabinet change where Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte has been named as the substantive  Minister of National Security.  Many are wondering whether the seizure is a matter of happenstance given its timing and that’s a question that was put to Commissioner of Police Chester Williams at this evening’s press brief.  As far as a comment on the bust, Minister Peyrefitte says that there are mixed feelings about the entire incident since ideally he’d rather not have drugs being ferried through the country.

Isani Cayetano

“Share with us a comment in respect of the seizure that was made this morning.  It is arguably, or going to be on record, as the largest drug bust in Belizean history.  It is the first week into your leadership as the substantive Minister of National Security.  Share with us a comment on today’s seizure.”

Michael Peyrefitte, Minister of National Security

“Well I don’t know if it’s a good thing or a bad thing, I would say… I would much prefer for drugs not to land here at all or to pass through here at all.  That would be real success, however, we are seemed to be perched at the perfect place between the major drug manufacturers and the major drug user, so unfortunately for us these things will happen and all that we can hope for is when it does pass through Belize that we can stop it and have the perpetrators pay for trying to bring drugs through Belize or for trying to bring drugs to Belize.”

Reporter

“Sir, I have to ask this, you know, observers will say that as soon as the minister changes a big, a huge bust was made, the largest ever.  Is there any change in the operational orders, in the operational command?  One has to ask.”

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“No, there is no change in how we do operations.  We continue to focus on areas that we had been concentrating on with a view to see how we can tackle the issue of plane landings.  So the minister changing had nothing to do with it.”