In a significant law enforcement operation, two Guatemalan nationals are now in custody following a dramatic high-speed pursuit through Belize’s Cayo District. The incident, which culminated in the discovery of prohibited ammunition, unfolded on the afternoon of January 9, 2026.
The operation began when customs officials initiated a pursuit of a black Toyota Hilux pickup truck along Hydro Road. Members of the Mobile Interdiction Unit (MIU), who were conducting routine patrols in the area, observed the chase and subsequently intercepted the vehicle at approximately 3:45 p.m.
During a systematic search of the intercepted vehicle, authorities discovered fourteen live rounds of .40 caliber ammunition—a type expressly banned under Belizean law. The suspects, identified as 50-year-old Nestor Galdamez and 30-year-old Eduardo Galdamez, both claimed to be legitimate business operators with proper firearm licenses issued in Guatemala.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith, who serves as Staff Officer, clarified the legal implications: “By Belizean statute, individuals entering the country with firearms or ammunition of prohibited calibers must immediately surrender these items at the nearest police station upon entry. The .40 caliber weaponry falls squarely within this prohibited category.”
The two men have been formally arrested and charged with possession of prohibited ammunition. Their claims of legitimate business purposes and Guatemalan licensing remain under investigation as authorities work to determine the circumstances surrounding the transportation of illegal ammunition across international borders.
This case highlights the ongoing challenges of cross-border security and weapon regulation enforcement in Central America, particularly concerning differences in national firearms legislation between neighboring countries.