News Americas, New York, NY, September 30, 2024: Belize police are continuing their investigation into the discovery of a suspected amount of cocaine found on a boat owned by government minister Andre Perez, who holds the Blue Economy and Disaster Risk Management portfolio. Authorities reported that 474 grams of suspected drugs were found aboard Perez’s boat in San Pedro last Friday, September 27, 2024.
According to a police statement, Perez stated that the vessel was docked for repairs and had been left unused for more than six months. Preliminary findings suggest the drug may have been planted without his knowledge and the minister is fully cooperating with the investigation.
The owner of the boatyard has corroborated Perez’s account, confirming that the minister had paid a monthly mooring fee of BDZ$250 (One Belize dollar = US$0.49) during the boat’s inactive period.
Perez recently returned to government after taking leave in August last year due to an unrelated investigation. He was previously embroiled in a scandal involving a female lawyer.
When asked by reporters about the discovery of the drugs, Perez said he had “no idea” how the drugs ended up on his boat, but emphasized his cooperation with police, adding: “I have, there’s nothing to worry about “. When asked if he believed someone was trying to set him up, he replied, “probably.”
Prime Minister John Briceño, however, rejected the idea of an organization. “I don’t think anyone is trying to set it up,” Briceño said, adding that the ship had been docked for more than six months, making it an unlikely target for suspicion. “When someone informed the police, they searched it and found the drugs. But clearly Andre had not used his boat.”
The United States has identified Belize as an important transit point for cocaine and precursor chemicals used in illicit drug production. Belize’s geographic location along the Central American isthmus, between the drug-producing countries of South America and the US, makes it vulnerable to drug trafficking. The country’s borders with Guatemala feature large, unpopulated areas of jungle, while the relatively patrolled coastline, dotted with small islands and atolls, presents challenges to drug interdiction efforts. The remote jungles also provide an ideal environment for the cultivation and trafficking of cannabis.
Belize’s proximity to countries where drug trafficking operations are controlled by highly organized and violent cartels further exacerbates the issue. While the use of cannabis is generally tolerated within Belizean society, laws against it are enforced by local authorities.
Despite increased efforts by the Belize Coast Guard and the Anti-Drug Unit to patrol coastal waters, both agencies face significant challenges due to limited funding, inadequate equipment and understaffing. Belize’s anti-narcotics initiatives are further hampered by corruption, outdated intelligence and judicial systems, and a lack of political will, all of which hinder progress in the fight against drug trafficking.
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