In a series of coordinated law enforcement actions across Belize City and Ladyville, local police have taken multiple unlicensed firearms and rounds of ammunition off the streets, resulting in criminal charges against five men. The operations, carried out between August 17 and August 23, 2026, were targeted at reducing street violence and stemming the flow of illegal weapons in the region, according to official police details released by Assistant Superintendent Stacy Smith, Staff Officer for the department.
The first operation unfolded just before 9 p.m. on August 17, when members of the Violence Prevention and Enforcement Unit executed a search at a Peter Street residence in Belize City. During the search, officers uncovered a black 9-millimeter Glock pistol, leading to the arrest and joint charges of unlawful possession of an unlicensed firearm against 20-year-old Gregoria Pitter and 19-year-old Aaron Pitter. Of the two suspects, Aaron Pitter has already entered a guilty plea and remains remanded at Belize Central Prison as he awaits his sentencing hearing.
Six days later, on August 23, Ladyville police carried out a court-ordered search of a residence located on Monterey Boulevard, belonging to 30-year-old Anderson Martinez. The search turned up a loaded black Remington pistol, with its magazine holding 14 live 9-millimeter rounds. Martinez now faces two separate charges: possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of unlicensed ammunition.
In a third incident in the St. Martin’s area of Belize City, personnel from the GH3 anti-crime unit encountered a speeding SUV shortly after 3:40 a.m. during a routine patrol. Officers pursued the vehicle and successfully intercepted it, and a subsequent search of the car uncovered a Smith & Wesson pistol. The vehicle’s owner, 33-year-old Lloyd Perchue of Croton Lane, Belize City, was taken into custody and charged with both unlicensed firearm and unlicensed ammunition possession.
The fourth and final arrest took place at the Belize City residence of 27-year-old Tyrese Gladden, located on Frederick Alley. A planned search of Gladden’s home yielded another 9-millimeter Glock pistol, loaded with a magazine holding 10 live 9-millimeter rounds. Gladden was formally arrested and charged on weapons possession charges following the discovery.
This report is a transcribed version of an evening television newscast, with all Kriol language phrases transcribed using a standardized spelling system for accuracy.