Exactly two weeks ago we broke the news of a major cocaine bust the police made in the north. And the police wasted no time destroying over one thousand pounds they found in that Cessna 210. Today Jaleeza Roberts went out West to see it all go up in smoke.
Jaleeza Roberts, Reporter
"The air here is thick with heat and the smell of burning plastic, cocaine and cannabis. That's because behind me, 13 million dollars in illegal drugs are quite literally going up in smoke. This massive burn is the product of two major high profile drug interceptions: the cocaine recovered from that narco-plane landing in Neuland, Corozal, and the massive stash of weed found at an apartment in Lords Bank. Each bust carried its own controversies - but today - under tight security at an undisclosed location in western Belize - police hope to put those burning questions to rest."
Today, a few weeks after the seizure, the 1,216 pounds of suspected cocaine found in the plane in Nueland Corozal and the 1,176 pounds of cannabis found in Lord's Bank were destroyed in high security drug destruction. It was routine with the lab technicians to do the testing, the Chief Magistrate and clerical staff to document the destruction, and the Scenes of Crime team to document it - but the top cop, Commissioner Richard Rosado was also present to oversee the destruction of his greatest law enforcement success.
Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
"Pursuant to regulation 27 1 of the misuse of drug act regulation, an application was made to the magistrate for the issuance of an order for the disposal of the cocaine that was seized in Nueland, Corozal and the Cannabis that was seized in Lord's bank. The magistrate, having been satisfied that the said control substance can be destroyed without any prejudice to any pending criminal proceedings duly granted."
"The cocaine that was seized in Corozal I believe is 1,215.6 pounds, the cannabis seized in Lord's bank I believe it is 1,176.5 pounds with a total street value of 13 million."
And with the massive burning, the Compol pitched it as a demonstration of his officers' competence and motivation:
Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
"Well it does show that the personnel, the police officers are highly motivated, it also highlights that Belize is not a transit route for drug trafficking because we have the partnership, we have the intelligence and we have the capability to intercept and track drug traffickers so it does have as a motivation for our personnel."
And when it comes to the destruction, there is heavy security element required. ACP Gualberto Garcia explained how they prepared:
ACP Gualberto Garcia, Belmopan HQ
"As you might know, the two loads were secured in two different locations so we had to ensure that we provide adequate security for those loads to reach where they are. It took a considerable number of police officers to be here, we have a strong perimeter around us currently with security so it's not very easy for anybody to get close to us so that is one of the main objectives that we have is the security and safety of not only our officers but persons who are here ensuring that the process goes smoothly and also for yourself the media."
"Drug destructions is something that we do every year because as you may know we have seizures every year all over the country and many formations have certain amount of drugs that they have and due to the space in their exhibit rooms they also apply to the commissioner for destruction of certain amount of drugs so we always have these kids of operations. Just thatches is one of the bigger ones that we have."
Reporting for 7 News, I am Jaleeza Roberts
