Major drug bust in Lords Bank nets over 1,100 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $1.6 million

Police have confirmed one of the largest drug seizures in recent history, following a major operation carried out in Lords Bank, Belize District.  Authorities say the bust, which took place on Tuesday morning at around 10:30, resulted in the discovery of approximately one thousand, one hundred and seventy-six pounds of high-grade marijuana, with an estimated street value of one point six million Belize dollars.  Images from the scene show dozens of large parcels and bags packed with the suspected drugs, underscoring the scale of the operation.  Commissioner of Police, Dr. Richard Rosado, was on site and described the seizure as a significant success for law enforcement. He noted that the operation was the result of coordinated efforts involving multiple units within the Belize Police Department, supported by the use of advanced technology and intelligence gathering.

Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police: “The success of this morning’s operations I believe it’s one of the largest, one of the largest drug seizures for cannabis the police department has had and the success today is a commitment to the department’s investment in technology, intelligence led policing and surveillance while developing the capacity of our personnel. We have had a number of arrests for major crimes, firearms and drugs and this is all based on the investment we have made in technology and intelligence led policing. So it’s all a part of our strategic plan of reforming, refocusing and rebuilding the police department.”

Reporter: As far as this, what do you estimate the value of what you found today. 

Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police: “The drugs will be taken to an undisclosed location where the processing will be completed and that assessment will be made but from our initial determination it’s a high grade marijuana. As I said our operations have been intelligence led policing and the K9 unit is a part of that operations.”

Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith, in a subsequent press briefing, confirmed that investigations remain active and that police are currently seeking one person in connection with the seizure.

Stacy Smith, Assistant Superintendent of Police: “On Wednesday 8 April 2026 a joint operation was carried out by personnel of the Gang Intelligence Investigation and Interdiction Unit, the anti narcotics unit and the K9 unit of the Belize Police Department at a property located in Lords Bank Village Ladyville. This operation led to the seizure of a large quantity of marijuana being 29 large bags which preliminary indications suggest may weight well over 1,000 pounds. Also seized at that property was a 9mm pistol which contained 12 live rounds of 9mm ammunition. These drugs were discovered in the room of an apartment building and police are now seeking a person of interest in this matter. The person of interest is someone that has come under the police’s radar before and has been charged for drug trafficking before, that is the extent to which I will disclose at this moment. As you would know no one was present at the time of the discovery so certainly thorough investigations would need to be done and we believe that we have started earnestly in that regard and the trajectory in which we are wishing to or are seeking to move with this investigation we believe an arrest will be made. As I indicated to you we are in the infancy stage of this investigation and one in which we are hoping to lead to an arrest and it is important that we conduct a thorough investigation which is not prejudiced by the premature disclosure of information. We anticipate and we are hopeful that we will bring about an arrest even though the circumstances are not as ideal we are working on getting the necessary evidence that would allow us to put together a file and put the person before the court and hopefully secure a conviction.”

This latest bust marks a major disruption to the illegal drug trade, as authorities continue to intensify efforts to intercept and dismantle trafficking operations across the country. Police say the drugs are being processed and logged as part of the ongoing investigation, with further updates expected as the case develops