[Linked Image]There is a report that Assistant Commissioner of Police, Marco Vidal, is being hospitalized at a private hospital in Belize City after preliminary reports indicate he experienced breathing difficulties and "stroke-like" symptoms.

The Head of Operations is said to have experienced the health difficulties after a late evening Police press conference on Tuesday, during which he and Police Commissioner, Chester Williams informed the nation of a State of Emergency imposed on the south side of Belize City. Vidal's laboured breathing was audible during today's Press Conference. He rolled out the Southside State of Emergency at 3am this morning and had been in operations mode since then.

ACP Vidal, who has undergone advance tactical training abroad and who was once in charge of the Gang Suppression Unit, led a city-wide raid that began at pre-dawn hours on Monday as part of the State of Emergency that involved the rounding up of some 99 of Belize City's gang affiliates who were later whisked off to the Belize Central Prison for 30 days as part of the Police Department's crime prevention strategy following a spate of street violence.

We will have an update on Vidal's condition as the information becomes available.

(File photo: courtesy 7News)