U.S. anti-narcotics plane based in Belize

When the operation known as New Horizons 2000 decamped from the Stann Creek District it left more than just newly constructed schools and freshly dug wells. It also left behind one of the most sophisticated weapons in the United States anti-drug arsenal. The Lockheed Martin P-3 Orion is a four engine propeller driven aircraft loaded with electronics designed to detect movement of vehicles in the air, on the ground or in the water. It will be based at the Philip Goldson International Airport until June 15th and, according to the U.S. military liaison office, has already participated in a number of successful anti-drug operations. The P-3 engages in surveillance missions over Belize and neighbouring countries in cooperation with local authorities. Due to the limitations of the P.G.I.A. the plane’s operations are currently limited to daylight hours only. The night apparently still belongs to the drug runners.