Coast Guard hauls in contraband liquor and getaway boat
We usually hear about the Belize Coastguard in search and rescue missions, but the unit also helps to keep the waters safe from illegal activities such as narco-trafficking. During their operations over the past four day holiday weekend, the coastguard managed to nab contraband from Mexico and a vessel that was going equipped to commit a crime. The Operations Officer for the Belize Coast Guard told News Five about the weekend busts.
Lt. Gregory Soberanis, Operations Officer, Belize Coast Guard
Gregory Soberanis
“Commandant of the Belize Coast Guard, Captain John Borland has directed that coast guard increases its patrolling efforts in support of crime prevention initiative for Belize City. As a result, we have increased our patrolling units at the marinas in Belize City. We’ve also increased our patrolling efforts in the harbor and river in Belize City as well. And as you may see we have Coast Guard in support of the police at the checkpoint here at miles four and a half. As a result of the initiative taken by the commandant, we have made several busts in Belize City. At the water taxi terminal, we have intercepted some contraband items that were coming from the North and heading to San Pedro and Caye Caulker. 
This is an initiative in order for us to deter the illegal and illicit activities that are occurring in Belize City. For example Jose, just on Friday while conducting our harbor patrol in the vicinity of between Belcan and Swing Bridge, our patrol intercepted a vessel. The vessel was instructed to stop, [it] did not stop [and] it fled instead. The Coast Guard patrol pursued the vessel. The vessel ran onto the riverbank the vessel where the personnel deserted the vessel and the vessel was seized and confiscated by the Coast Guard. The items found on board this vessel indicated that these guys were up to no good—they were definitely prepared to conduct some illegal activity in that area.”
According to Lieutenant Gregory Soberanis, they recovered several machetes, iron bats, and masks in the boat after the occupants fled the scene.
So what were the items that were found on the vessel Mr Soberanis?I guess some of those Modelos are going to be missing before the Belizean people are told what was found on the vessel.
Who is the boat registred to? The owner should be arrested (Unless it was stolen). Unless, of course he is a ‘first Belizean’ with Ministerial contacts, and if that’s the case, nothing will happen, and the contraband will be secretly returned to him, or ‘find its way’ to it destination, probably courtesy of the Coast Guard!!!!!!
Either way, I bet this is the last we’ll hear of this story. The inevitable whitewash will be sure to follow.
I wonder if the PUP or UDP will open up the mexican beer market in Belize. So many Belizeans have to resort to smuggling beer into the country as we have little choice. It would seem that the Bowen Empire has deep roots with both political parties. They have even banned the sale of beer in Belize city for the Mexican celebrations. Too much control for just one Belizean company. I like and drink Belikin BUT i would love to have a choice…
THIS THE MOST STUPIEST THING I EVER HEARD I COULD UNDERSTAND IF IT WAS DRUGS AS IN WEED OR COKE BUT DAMN YALL COAST GUARD DONT HAVE NOTHING ELSE TO DO AND YALL ACT LIKE IT A BIG CRIME
THEY JUST MESSED UP SOMEBODY’S PARTY……….damn…..
Well, well at last Coast Guard report some minor haul. They have never done dat with other more serious items dey have came across in d past mayb cause dey have benefited & those resposible have luxury houses, cars & other properties obtained corruptly