BDF Increases Patrols After Drug Plane Discovery in Toledo

The Belize Defence Force has increased its patrol in remote areas of the Toledo District following the discovery of a suspected drug plane. Last month, soldiers on a mission to destroy a clandestine airstrip near Graham Creek Village discovered a Cessna 210 airplane retrofitted to carry large cargo.  According to authorities, the plane was used to transport drugs and discarded fuel containers. It is their suspicion that the plane originated from South America with drugs destined for neighboring Guatemala. Speaking on this matter was the BDF Commander, Brigadier General Azariel Loria. 

Azariel Loria, BDF Commander Brigadier General: “We discovered it by chance. We sent a patrol in the area of Graham Creek because the CSI is a radar from the Americans that did not pick up the signal and also our radar here did not pick it up so it was pure coincidence and a bit of intelligence too that we sent that patrol at Graham Creek and that is the result, that’s what we found. And we too were responding at a recently cleared airstrip in that area. We were going to do a reconnaissance patrol but we found the illegal airstrip and the Cessna at the same time.”

Reporter: How long had it been there ?

Azariel Loria, BDF Commander Brigadier General: “We don’t know but we believe that by what we found, we found GPS and other equipment I think we fond a satellite phone so we believe that the plane was there for like two or thee weeks maximum. The origin of the plane itself we do not know but the plane had markings and it had a Mexican flag on the nose.”

The aircraft was able to enter the country’s airspace without being detected by the BDF’s radar system, prompting concerns over whether the systems need to be updated. Loria weighed in on the need for more modern technology and the possible reason the plane wasn’t detected. 

Azariel Loria, BDF Commander Brigadier General: “If the primary means that we have here at Ladyville doesn’t pick it up it means that It needs an upgrading and I do believe that they have provision to upgrade the software. But I don’t now the mechanics of the radar and the intricacies of it but we do know that we require a radar that could have that distance around to pick up suspicious aircraft coming from wherever north or south.”

Reporter: Was there anything found that would indicate what would have been that plane’s cargo ? 

Azariel Loria, BDF Commander Brigadier General: “Usually when planes land here in Belize it’s always for the same logical reasons that we have followed all the time. We believe, because we cannot prove anything, but we believe that they were bringing cocaine and that was one of the other reasons that the patrol was inserted in that area to do a reconnaissance patrol to ensure that coca plants are not being grown in that area.”

Soldiers had previously found cocoa plantations in the area.