Police Recover Two Firearms in Targeted Freedom Street Operation

Police have recovered two firearms and ammunition following a targeted operation carried out on Freedom Street, Belize City, this morning.  At around 10:00 a.m. personnel from the Special Branch Firearm Team, supported by the Special Patrol Unit (SPU), conducted a house search on Freedom Street, the residence of 29-year-old Belizean fireman.  The operation was based on intelligence relating to the possible presence of illegal firearms, ammunition, and drugs. Police say the fisherman was present during the search, which included a thorough inspection of both the residence and its immediate surroundings. No illegal items were found inside the house or yard.  However, further searches were conducted in an abandoned lot located behind the residence. During that search, officers discovered a black cloth wrapped inside a yellow transparent plastic bag. Upon inspection, police found a rusty black 9mm firearm with a magazine containing four live 9mm rounds.  A second firearm was later discovered beneath a rusty zinc sheet in the same area. That weapon was described as a chrome and black 9mm firearm with two live 9mm rounds inside the magazine. Police noted that no one was present in the immediate area at the time the firearms were recovered.  Both firearms and the six rounds of ammunition were transported to the Faber’s Road Sub-Station, where they were properly labelled and sealed as found property.  Police say the items are believed to be linked to the fisherman, but they have not disclosed whether charges will be laid.