We all know about transshipment, but with the discovery of a rudimentary cocaine lab and coca plants in the south, is the US looking at Belize as a potential drug producing country? Here's what Nichols said.

Brian Nichols, Assistant Secretary, US State Dept.
"Well, I think the issue of transit is a much bigger problem. The Coca, sort of lab, it's hardly a lab. I saw the photos. It was pretty basic there. The issue of transshipment is much more of a concern than production here. Obviously, authorities need to be vigilant to make sure that there's not an increase in production here, but not seeing significant hectares under cultivation. In fact, almost none. And the, you know, the laboratory, in the field that was dismantled, it was not a major concern. In the United States we're very much appreciative of the cooperation that Belize provides on counter-narcotics matters. I would note that we have an international narcotics and law enforcement program in Belize. We provide about $3 million in assistance for counter-narcotics efforts through our AML bureau and my colleague Todd Robinson, who's the assistant secretary for AML, expressed his interest in visiting Belize to further strengthen that cooperation. In addition to that, our cooperation through the Department of Defense and things like strengthening the Coast Guard here, and, you know, we were, central of the formation of Belize's Coast Guard, provide other areas where we cooperate, to address counter-narcotics. We also support a vetted unit here, as well as a financial intelligence unit. We have DEA presence here in Belize. All of those things, demonstrate our commitment to close cooperation with Belizean authorities. And, just note that, Prime Minister and his entire team were very clear in their commitment to work with us to deal with transnational organized crime, particularly narcotics trafficking."

"Being able to overfly the country in a helicopter and see, you know, the limited road access for the authorities that, you know, can take hours to reach these clandestine airstrips. So local authorities are facing challenges, but they're also looking for creative solutions, spanning Belize's own money on some of those solutions. And obviously, the United States and others in the international community want to help and support in that effort. But Belize also needs to continue to step up and resource its own efforts as well."