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Today the Commissioner of Police held a press briefing and explained that it started with surveillance on Sunday:...

Allen Whylie - Commissioner of Police
"On Sunday, 28th of October 2018 at about 10 am, based on information and intelligence received, the department placed two Guatemalans under surveillance where they were followed around in Belize City including to the location of a hotel where they were staying. On Wednesday, the 31st of October 2018, at about 6 am, we also became aware that a vessel came, Boston Whaler, into Belize and was moored at the Princess Marina, where we saw some meeting between the persons who were under surveillance and occupants of that vessel. On Thursday, the 1st of November 2018, at about 12:15 pm, again the police, via its checkpoint that was erected on the Western Highway, intercepted a Dodge Ram pickup truck which had in six occupants, one Belizean and five Guatemalans. Three of those individuals, three of the Guatemalans were in the pan at the rear of that vehicle. That vehicle was searched outside of the Hattieville area where two 9mm pistols were discovered at the back of that vehicle. On yesterday's date at about 1pm a joint team of police and BDF observed a Cessna single action airplane attempting to land in the area of the Coastal Road, approximately about 10 miles from the Democracia junction. However, for some unknown reason the plane did not land but instead circled the area three times and the joint team observed it proceeding in a southerly direction. The joint team then proceeded to search the area where they discovered silver in color Toyota Prado abandoned in the bushes. Searches in the area did not reveal any occupant in that vehicle. A search of this vehicle by the members of the team led to the discovery of 15 bales of suspected cocaine there in. The vehicle, along with its contents were secured and escorted into Belize City. The suspected drugs were counted and it amounted to 440 parcels which, upon being weighed, amounted to 479.15 kilos of suspected cocaine. On yesterday's date also the surveillance team observed the Boston Whaler, which was moored at the Princess Marina, departing. As a result, the Belize Coast Guard, which was a part of the operation, intercepted that vessel near the vicinity of the deep water port. At the time, the vessel was heading in a southerly direction. That vessel was escorted back and is presently at the moor at the Radisson Fort George Square under guard. Ten occupants of that vessel were detained; 5 adult males, 2 adult females and three minors. The 2 adult females as well as the 3 minors were released from custody sometime last night. This vessel was searched and nothing illegal was found to date however we do intend to conduct further searches today utilizing the department's canine. Investigation is ongoing in terms of the discovery of these drugs. Several searches have been conducted within Belize City which has resulted in the detention of 2 additional Guatemalan males. Also discovered as a result of those searches were two 9mm pistols along with a 40 caliber pistol which we know in Belize is a prohibited firearm. To date, we have a total of 12 Guatemalans and 1 Belizean in custody."

Jules Vasquez- Reporter
"Sir, would you triangulate the variables in terms of the boat, the land component and the air component. From what you all have gathered so far what was the general movement of the illicit products? Was it that it came by sea and was going to be moved over land to a point where a plane would pick it up and then it would go by plane?"

Allen Whylie
"I am sorry, I cannot triangulate that at this point in time because the investigation is relatively young and I think those are some of the things the investigators will also be looking at to try and pin down."

Jules Vasquez
"How did the drugs enter the country?"

Allen Whylie
"I don't know."

Jules Vasquez
"I understand the Belizean is a person from Orange Walk."

Allen Whylie
"We have one Belizean detained; I won't go into detail in terms of who is detained."

Jules Vasquez
"Are you able to say how it is that you all were able to dismantle this operation? Was it intelligence? Was it confidential informant? Was it international assistance?"

Allen Whylie
"Well, as I indicated perhaps part of it is a struck of luck because, as I said, we had some intelligence, we did a number of surveillances, we developed that intelligence, we saw movements and we established and went into a protocol that we have in terms of when we are looking at issues of drugs and planes and we think that a struck of luck also led us to where we are today."

The 479 kilos or 1,056 pounds in this bust is comparable to the last bust which was made 52 days ago on September 9th. That one was 556.2 kilos or 1,226 pounds. So the estimated street value of this bust would be close to the 7 million US dollars estimated for the last bust. Police say they will move to get a court order to destroy the drugs as soon as possible.