body,td,th { font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; }
Last week we shared with you a drug destruction in the Orange walk district. Today another took place in the Cayo District.
But while that one was a general housekeeping of police exhibits, today's event was much more specific. Jomarie Lanza was there to find out more:
It made headline news at the end of July when this major weed bust was made in Dangriga Town. 500 pounds of weed, stashed in a warehouse, to be sold off to local dealers.
Today, three weeks later, it all went up in smoke..."
Dr Richard Rosado, Deputy Commissioner of Police
"Yes this is from one case, one operation in Dangriga where three persons were arrested and the matter is presently before the court."
It took a group of armed police officers, a magistrate, a chemist, and a Justice of the Peace to sort through all these bins and barrels stuffed with cannabis, to officially destroy them. It is a process that takes place at least twice a year and deputy Compol Rosado oversaw today's drug destruction.
Dr Richard Rosado, Deputy Commissioner of Police
"To put some context into it in accordance with regulation 27 1 with the misuse of drug act subsidiary act, chapter 103 of the laws of Belize an application was made to the magistrate in Dangriga for an order to be issued for the destruction of 503.7 pounds of Cannabis that was seized in a drug operation in Dangriga on July the 30th 2024. And the magistrate having been satisfied that the drug can be destroyed without any prejudice to any criminal proceedings granted the order."
But the destruction is not haphazard; it is a careful study in procedure and record keeping. First they have to find a secure location, close off the area and prepare for a destruction by fire, which today, was about an hour of burning:
Dr Richard Rosado, Deputy Commissioner of Police
"Well the regulations for the subsidiary of misuse of drug acts stipulate what must be done during a drug destruction and in accordance with the section 27, 2 the act mandates that the magistrate, the justice of the peace, a senior police officer and a chemist witness the destruction in an effort to ensure that what is being destroyed is what was seized in the drug operation in Dangriga. And in terms of the police preparations. We have several operational units to ensure that we have the security and safety of the personnel who are doing the destruction."
"The location is usually selected based on security risk and the estimated value of the drugs is $452,000."
And though marijuana is legal to possess under 10 grams, it is illegal to sell or traffic in the quantities so drug destruction is a regular occurrence:
Dr Richard Rosado, Deputy Commissioner of Police
"The destruction has been happening on a regular basis once the order has been given. If it is a found property then we usually apply to the commissioner of police for destruction. If it is during a criminal proceeding then we have to go through the magistrate as per the regulations."
