An Arsenal of Illegal Weapons Busted by Customs and Police

The proliferation of guns and ammunition in Belize has long been an issue for law enforcement.  The abundance of illegal firearms also poses a very real citizen security threat for many law-abiding Belizeans.  The unlawful importation of weapons into the country is widely regarded as an activity that takes place across porous land borders in northern and western Belize.  But when illegal guns are shipped in legally through the various ports of entry, it raises another level of concern.  Such was the case on Thursday when a joint operation carried out by the customs and police departments turned up a carton box containing a small cache of weapons, including a high-powered assault rifle.  Sometime around 9:30 a.m., the team discovered the arsenal of weapons that was conveyed through a local shipping agency from an alleged address in Miami, Florida.

Included Canik SF pistol with two magazines; a CZP pistol, along with two magazines; a Smith and Wesson pistol with two magazines; a shoe box containing eight boxes, each containing twenty 7.62 rounds; twelve plastic containers, each containing twenty 7.62 rounds; four boxes, each containing fifty 5.56 rounds of ammunition; a Draco 7.62 caliber automatic weapon with a long magazine; two boxes, each containing one hundred rounds of nine millimeter ammunition.  The Draco is a specific type of Romanian designed automatic weapon that is similar to an AK-47 assault rifle.  The firearms and ammunition were sealed, labeled and deposited as exhibits.  A police investigation is underway.