7 News Belize

Another Drug Plane Lands, This One on Mennonite Farm In Toledo
posted (December 21, 2018)

Tonight, yet another plane has been added to the long list of suspicious aircraft that have landed or attempted to land in Belize.   Recently though, reports have started to place those planes in the south.  Two weeks ago, one landed on the Guatemalan side of the Sarstoon - and last night it was on a mennonite farm near Barranco, Toledo .  Our Emanuel Pech and Angel Noble were the first media to get there and here's what they saw:

Emanuel Pech
"I am on the outskirts of the quiet village of Barranco near what is presumed to be  a drug plane landing. This goes on the list of a series of drug plane landings in Belize over the last couple of years. Just behind me over that shed is small white aircraft heavily guarded by a platoon of officers."

What you see here is a single engine Cessna 210. Authorities in Punta Gorda were alerted to the landing of the suspicious aircraft in the wee hours of the morning.

Police say that sometime between 9 and 10 pm last night, the aircraft landed here, on Pletts farm about a mile off the Barranco Village Road, in the Toledo District.

Our news team arrived at the scene shortly after 11 this morning. BDF and MIT had already swarmed the area; guarding the aircraft with very heavy artillery;

Some even wore masks. They approached us; but before we could reveal our identities as media personnel the officers told us to turn back and so we did.

We stopped approximately 300 yards from the scene to get some more footage. But again, we were told to leave.

Officer
"We a give you a final warning to come off the property right. Let's go pack up those things."

Emanuel Pech
"What is the limit sir?"

Officer
"Private property, so outside of the gate. This is your final warning."

Emanuel Pech
"Sir no problem."

Officer
"Pack that up, off it."

We left the scene, followed closely by our uniformed escorts. They locked the gate on us to keep us away for good.

Part of their extra sensitivity might be because of this guy sitting down behind the wheel of this SUV. It's difficult to tell from this angle but he is not taking a break from the heat. He is in handcuffs

And He is Police Constable Peter Graham assigned to the Punta Gorda Police Formation.

He and another unnamed man were found in the immediate area inside an SUV.

Authorities say the SUV had a drum of aviation fuel and what resembled airplane seats. What Graham intended to do with these items is left for authorities to determine.

In the meantime PC Graham will remain detained pending the outcome this investigation.

Now, although this is a suspected drug plane landing, police turned up empty handed when they searched the aircraft.   The plane was empty except for several drums of aviation fuel found in the immediate area. It most be noted that since November of last year there have been a total of 13 suspicious planes that have been either intercepted, abandoned or destroyed within Belize. Â Ã‚ 

Police have released Graham's name, but have not disclosed what charges if any will be brought against him.  He is reported to be form Barranco Village.

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