By: Omar Silva, NP Staff Writer

Belize City: Monday, 17 April 2023

Belize's battle against drug trafficking suffered another setback with the discovery of a suspected drug plane in southern Belize. The burnt remains of an aircraft were discovered after a week of searching, with law enforcement officers and personnel from the National Forensics Science Services working tirelessly to locate the wreckage. It is believed that the plane was being tracked as it flew into Belizean airspace on the night of April 10th, but the police lost track of it somewhere between Belize and Guatemala in the vicinity of the southern border.

This latest incident comes after a considerable lull in the reporting of illegal airplane landings in the country, but Belizeans are all too aware of the ongoing problem with narco-dollars corrupting the police force and turning Belize into a trampoline for drug traffickers. The authorities recently acquired a top-of-the-line radar, which they claimed would help put a dent in narco drops or landings in Belize. Yet, as always, the police are quick to take credit when it's convenient, but just as quick to make excuses for their failures.

Commissioner of Police Chester Williams acknowledged that the area where the plane was found was extremely remote and it took the police and Belize Defence Force (BDF) days to get there. Moreover, the rugged nature of the terrain is one that does not facilitate the police officers' quick response, and so it may take some time for investigators to give an update on the matter.

The fight against drug trafficking is a tough one, but it's clear that the government needs to do more to invest in equipment and training for law enforcement officers to address these illicit aircraft landings. Collaboration between the police, BDF, coast guard, and the US Embassy through the DEA attaché has been strong, but more needs to be done to prevent these planes from coming or intercept them when they do. The drug traffickers are being crafty in landing these planes in areas that they know are extremely remote and would take some time for the security forces to get there, so the authorities need to step up their game.

It's time for the police to stop taking credit for successes they haven't achieved and to start answering for their failures. The Belizean people deserve to know what's being done to combat drug trafficking and what steps are being taken to prevent future incidents like this one. It's time for the authorities to take responsibility for their actions, or lack thereof, and start working towards a safer, drug-free Belize.