Charges for drugs and ammo result from GSU operations

Mauricio Lemus

The Gang Suppression Unit says it conducted successful operations over the weekend against gangs including the George Street and the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) operating in Belize City. In the first operation on Friday, Mauricio Lemus, a reputed member of the MS-13 was arrested and charged for drug offences. Inside his pants pocket, the GSU retrieved four prices of crack cocaine wrapped with silver foil paper. The following day on Saturday a GSU search was conducted at Lemus’ house at four and a half miles Philip on the Goldson Highway. Aside from Lemus, nineteen year old student Leancy Flores was in the house. Two metal pipes, suspected to be used for smoking crack cocaine, were found and both Lemus and Flores were arrested and charged for two counts of Possession of a Pipe.

Then on Sunday, Hilberto Ruiz, another reputed MS-13 gang member was arrested and charged for drug offences. Early in the morning, the GSU executed a search warrant at Ruiz’s house on Neal’s Pen Road. Four others were present: Jose Carlos Reyes, Rebecca Salam, Maria Cadiz, and Daniel Rios. The search led to the discovery of a small amount of cannabis, which was found in a sofa. All five persons were jointly arrested and charged for Possession of a Controlled Drug. Reyes is also from the M-13 gang and has been charged twice before, including for professing to belong to a gang. The long arms of the GSU extended to the George Street gang;  Nelson “Nelo” Martinez, an alleged member was arrested and charged on Sunday afternoon.  Martinez attempted to flee but was seen throwing away a black plastic bag into his neighbour’s yard. The GSU took Martinez to where the bag had landed and when it was opened, it contained a black nine millimeter Glock pistol with a magazine containing live rounds. The firearm is being tested for possible links to the Gushany Wagner murder. Martinez was recently released on Supreme Court bail after he was arrested for another firearm charge. That firearm was traced to a businessman in Orange Walk whose business had been burglarized earlier this year.