BELMOPAN – In a significant law enforcement operation conducted on March 27, 2026, authorities have apprehended a government employee following the discovery of a substantial quantity of cannabis intended for distribution. The targeted raid, executed in the Piccini district of Belize’s capital city, resulted in the seizure of approximately 16.3 pounds of suspected cannabis meticulously packaged into ten separate parcels.
Andrew Wade, a 45-year-old public officer residing in Belmopan City, now faces serious criminal charges including possession of controlled substances with intent to supply. The operation was conducted pursuant to a judicially authorized search warrant executed at Wade’s residence in the presence of the suspect.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith, serving as Staff Officer, confirmed the details of the operation during an official briefing. “Police have formally arrested and charged Andrew Wade for the offense of possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply to another,” stated ASP Smith.
The successful intervention appears to validate the Belize Police Department’s intelligence-driven methodology. When questioned about previous law enforcement activities in the area, ASP Smith emphasized the strategic nature of police operations: “I am not able to confirm if searches were conducted previously or if they resulted in discoveries previously. But I am grateful to hear you say that police officers often conduct searches based on intelligence and surveillance, and not just haphazardly.”
This case highlights the ongoing efforts by Belizean authorities to combat drug trafficking operations, particularly those involving public officials who breach their duty to uphold law and order. The seizure represents one of the more substantial drug interdictions in the capital region recently, underscoring the persistent challenges facing law enforcement in the region.