In a significant year-end operation, Belize City law enforcement authorities have successfully intercepted an arsenal of illegal weapons, marking a substantial victory in the nation’s ongoing battle against organized crime. The operation, conducted on December 30, 2025, resulted in the recovery of an AR-15 assault rifle alongside more than 100 rounds of ammunition from a concealed mangrove location adjacent to Nutmeg Street in the Lake Independence district.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith provided official confirmation that the seizure was the product of meticulously coordinated intelligence efforts involving Special Branch units and officers from Precinct Two of the Eastern Division. According to Smith’s statement, the confiscated items included not only the military-grade rifle but also 105 rounds of 5.56 mm ammunition, two high-capacity drum magazines, additional 7.45 mm rounds, and two tactical bulletproof vests.
This operation represents the latest achievement in what has been a remarkably productive year for Belizean authorities in combating weapon trafficking. Official statistics released alongside this bust reveal that the Belize Police Department has seized 234 illegal firearms and 7,477 rounds of ammunition throughout 2025. The breakdown shows 123 were 9mm pistols, 14 were high-powered rifles, with the remainder consisting of .38 caliber firearms and shotguns. These efforts have led to 194 individuals facing charges related to weapons offenses.
The comprehensive law enforcement campaign has extended beyond weapons interdiction. National drug enforcement operations have yielded the confiscation of 705,638 grams of cannabis, 41,784 grams of cocaine, and over 5,000 grams of crack cocaine. These substance seizures have resulted in criminal charges against 1,562 individuals for narcotics-related violations during the same period.