Is our national security at risk? We’ve reported on three planes that landed at night bringing thirty-two Chinese Nationals. Tonight we can report that another plane landed on Wednesday night in northern Belize, but unlike the three that came from Haiti, this one is believed to have unloaded cargo from South America. It is a major bust, but the local police are not saying much. What we know so far is that the Anti-Drug Unit staged an operation in Sarteneja Village in Corozal at approximately nine last night. But before the cops got there, the plane was gone. The Mexican press has been reporting at length on the incident even though the incident happened in Belizean territory. According to the reports coming from Chetumal, a PAISA plane landed at the Sarteneja airstrip, and allegedly dropped off what is believed to be cocaine that was picked up by a waiting truck. The plane, which was spotted by a police patrol, quickly flew to an unknown destination. The suspected cocaine is reported to have then been carted away by boat to the Mexican side. Five persons were arrested in Chunox Village, about twenty miles away from Sarteneja. They are: thirty year old Michael Gentle of Corozal Town, twenty-nine year old Edwin Perez, thirty-three year old Ezekiel Tillett and thirty-five year old Michael Logan; all of Ladyville along with Michael Matthews of Burrell Boom. The men were inside a black pick-up truck, and inside the cops found a pump and a battery believed to have been used to refuel the plane. The men were wet from the waist down, implying that the cargo was shipped via the Rio Hondo to Mexico. All five men have been moved to Belmopan.

Channel 5

POLICE CONFIRM LANDING OF SUSPECTED DRUG PLANE IN SARTENEJA

October 14, 2010

Late this afternoon, confirmation was gotten from the top cop in the land, Commissioner of Police Crispin Jeffries that a plane did indeed land in Sarteneja village on Wednesday night. The report was first carried in a Chetumal Newspaper called “Por Esto” this morning, which reported that the plane landed around ten o’clock last night at the Sarteneja airstrip. The newspaper says that Mexican authorities in the southern zone detected the plane suspected of carrying narcotics flying suspiciously low in the area. According to the Mexican media report, local police on the banks of the Rio Hondo who were alerted are said to have monitored the landing at the Sarteneja airstrip and believe that a shipment of cocaine was offloaded and carted away in a pickup truck. The reports also say that there was a massive response by authorities north of our border to try and intercept the suspected drug plane. Although the incident is getting heavy press reports in the Mexican press, Belizean authorities are being tight-lipped about the incident. However, credible reports to Love News are that last night a team comprising of Orange Walk Police and BDF soldiers was deployed to Sarteneja to investigate the incident. While on their way, the team reportedly received word that a pick-up truck was leaving the village. At around ten thirty last night, the team allegedly intercepted four men travelling in a black pickup truck. One of the men was reported to have been armed and had three thousand dollars cash on him. All four men were reportedly soaking wet from the waist down. When police searched the vehicle, however, instead of drugs, they reportedly found an electric pump and batteries used to power the pump. Reports further indicate that a senior police officer from Belmopan was called in and he arrived at the scene where the four men were detained a few hours later. Once at the scene, the senior officer reportedly left with one of the men believed to be the leader of the group. The police officer, we are told, kept shuttling the men one by one from the scene to another location. When all four intercepted men had been ferried away, we are told that the BDF soldiers were sent back to camp in Orange Walk. It is believed that drugs, suspected to be cocaine, was offloaded from the plane, placed into the black pick-up truck and that the men then transferred the cargo onto a waiting boat on the Rio Hondo, which would explain them being wet from the waist down. It is also believed that the pump was used to refuel the plane. The boat, like the plane, disappeared into the night. Late this evening, Commissioner of Police Crispin Jefferies confirmed that an aircraft did land in Sarteneja village sometime between 8:30 and 9:30 last night, but that he does not know what type of aircraft it was or what was on its cargo manifest. Police are suspecting that it was transporting drugs and have launched an investigation. Commissioner Jefferies also said that they have detained some persons for questioning. Love News understands that there is now an increase in patrols by Mexican police near the Juan Sarabia and Sacxan areas along the banks of the Rio Hondo River in the north and they have reinforced security and vigilance in the area.

LOVE FM

Drug Plane Lands In The North: Police Mum

And now to the north, where there is a report of a loaded drug plane making a landing at the Sarteneja airstrip last night. A Mexican newspaper from Quintana Roo called Por Esto is reporting that a drug plane landed on the runway in Sarteneja village in the Corozal district last night.

The report says that at around 10:00 pm the plane landed at Sarteneja - quickly offloaded some drugs into a van and sped off.

The newspaper reports that the plane was heard flying low over southern Quintana Roo before it landed which is what alerted Mexican authorities.

According to the report, Mexican Police Commissioner for the area Jimenez Gumercindo immediately alerted police in the Othon P. Blanco area and those located on the banks of the Rio Hondo and the air Intercept Base to prepare for a possible landing in Quintana Roo.

But the report states that half an hour later, it was confirmed that the plane had landed on the runway in Sarteneja. Our sources in Sarteneja confirm that a plane did happen last night, but they say that it was really fast, an in and out operation. The Coast Guard was seen maintaining a presence in the area today.

And while that isn't much, it is more than the police have got to say. Press Officer, Fitzroy Yearwood told us that an official investigation is underway and he cannot comment until that is completed.

Channel 7

Corozal Police confirm suspected drug plane & five men detained

Information about the suspected drug plane that landed near Sarteneja has still not made it to the police blotter. But Corozal police say that while their response to the area was not quick enough to intercept the aircraft, but they did detain five men in a vehicle carrying a fuel pump and a battery in Chunox Village. The men were also said to be wet from waist down. There is not much to add to the story, but Deputy Police Commander in Corozal, Inspector James Moreira told News Five that patrols have been enhanced in the area.

Inspector James Moreira, Deputy O.C., Corozal Police

“A plane was landing in the area of Sarteneja, so we dispatched personnel to the location to join with the A.D.U. team. But however when they reached there’re there was no sight of any plane.”

Marion Ali

“But five people were later intercepted in a vehicle in Chunox Village.”

Insp. James Moreira

“Yes, we did our part by apprehending the fellows in the vehicle at Chunox.”

Marion Ali

“What led you to those people?”

Insp. James Moreira

“Well just the information that we received from the Sarteneja area and we more or less believe that they may be connected.”

Marion Ali

“Are there more patrols being conducted in that area, Sarteneja, I’m talking since this was a suspected drug plane?”

Insp. James Moreira

“Automatically from the said night, more patrols were placed out there.”

Marion Ali

“Is this something that you believe always happens or happens frequently?”

Insp. James Moreira

“For the past years, it didn’t happen, not to my knowledge while I was around, but you know things changes.”

The five men who were intercepted in the vehicle in Chunox Village are being investigated to determine whether they are linked to illicit activity.

Channel 5

MEN CHARGED FOR ILLEGLLY LANDING PLANE IN SARTENEJA VILLAGE

Last week we reported that a suspected drug plane had landed in Sarteneja Village; today Police report they have charged five men in connection with the incident. 33-year-old Ezekiel Tillett of Corozal Town, 39-year-old Emmanuel Matthews, a mechanic of the Belize District, 36-year-old Michael Logan of Corozal District and 29-year-old Edwin Perez, a mechanic of the Belize District and 32-year-old Michael Gentle a porter of the Belize District have been arrested and charged for the offence of landing aircraft without permission. Police have also impounded the vehicle the men were travelling in.

LOVE FM