Belize not a Tourism Paradise Drug & Human Trafficking
67DEA Map Of Belize Drug Trafficking
Human Trafficking Belize not a Tourism Paradise
A DEA map that came to our attention reveals San Pedro and other water-accessed locations in Belize are stopover depots for drugs, mostly cocaine, en route from South America to the US. What’s bad about the San Pedro situation is that ORT already red- flagged it for a concentration of bars featuring human trafficking victims.
It’s important that travelers know there were 100 drug-related murders in Belize last year. We think travelers considering a holiday in Belize should know that.
San Pedro, Ambergris Caye welcomed drug boats last year to its island landings. The island and the Town of San Pedro don’t limit themselves to just receiving the coke and sending it off to the next group in the wholesale chain. There is plenty of dangerous crime spillover from the drug trade in San Pedro Ambergris Caye.
We’ve mentioned in other postings the general level of corruption that pervades San Pedro Ambergris Caye. I remind you here that the Mayor Elsa Paz is a corrupt politician who dispenses liquor licenses on the island like she was selling warm bread – all for a price. Then there’s Bid Daddy’s, which she co-owns with her brother. It’s a hub for selling human trafficking victims and drug dealing. The police are frequent customers and also get their cut for turning a blind eye to the dealings that go on there. They also provide “private” security for the place. Most of the time they don’t even bother to change out of their uniforms.
Remember, San Pedro Ambergris Caye, population 12,000, features 90 ficha bars where human trafficking victims are on offer in forced prostitution. On-premises prostitution carries a fine of $50 (Belize) for bar owners. Last year and the year before and the year before that there was not a single instance of bar owners fined for the offence. You do the math.
The actions of the San Pedro Anti-Drugs Unit do not follow accepted police protocol. Last year the unit, claiming information from a local resident, were tipped off to a 25-kilogram cocaine find with a street value of $500,000 (Belize). Five men were killed in the aftermath. The drugs disappeared along with the money. There has been no follow-up investigation of the drug and money disappearances.
Further spillover of drug-related crime into the San Pedro area involved torture, gunfire and murder for small time operators who got caught by higher-level dealers. At least, on the surface that is what appears to have happened. Given the level of corruption in the community, it’s hard to know which bad guys did what to these small-time players. To-date, there are no arrests and no convictions related to this matter.
In any case, we are amplifying our warning to tourists and potential travelers to Belize, and in particular, San Pedro Ambergris Caye. Corruption, by the Mayor and Police Superintendent, supports it as a human trafficking hub and a drug-crime zone. Going to Belize, especially San Pedro, is not recommended for those interested in their personal safety and those concerned with the pain of human trafficking victims. Thinking and responsible travelers will not go there.
CommentsLoading...
I would like to know where the information came from to write this. My experience living on the island tells me this information can not be true.
BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Nice try Betty. I have lived in San Pedro for years and have looked far and wide for hookers on the island, and I am telling you from a real reputable source, there are exactly 3 actual prostitutes in San Pedro - trust me. And they're hideous. Every once in a while girls come to the island to try and make money and then they realize there is no real market here for prostitution - it's just way too small, yet the latest census puts Ambergris Caye at closer to 25,000 people, not 12,000. Furthermore, there weren't a 100 murders for anything in San Pedro, and your accounts are completely false. Who taught you journalism? There's a reason why you have to go to school first before trying to be a reporter. Now every Betty Philips in the world with a blog thinks they're reporters. Betty, my advice is I think you really just need to get filled. Perhaps your lack of sexual activity attributes to your obsession with sex and prostitution?
Betty GO HOME!
We don't want you here anymore than you obviously want to be here!
I am offended at this article. What rock did you just crawl out from under?
I live here and it is one of the nicest places I have ever been. La Isla Bonita is a TRUE FACT! I am blessed to be able to call this home.
The Mayor here is a friend to me and to everyone. She knows me by name and I would be happy to buy her a drink if I saw her "out and about" at a bar or restaurant. Her family is one of the founding families of this island. She has lived here with all her family her whole life. What someones brother owns or does has nothing to do with other family members. GET A GRIP! She has given of her time, her life, privacy, and been in the "spot light" even after not wanting to be Mayor anymore, she agreed to run another term. We wanted her as Mayor. We love you Elsa!
As for the Super Intendant of Police. Mr.Arnold does the best with what he has to work with. 40 officers manning 20,000 + people LIVING here, not including the tourist that visit here on vacation. And let's not forget that most tourist that come here "check their brain at the border" and do things they would never do back home. Leaving doors unlocked to go walk the beach, windows open and going diving for the day, purses and bags laying around with things you should carry with you here...HELLO! Use your head! Drunk and driving golf carts doing wheelies down the road. The police officers are paid on a pay scale that is so ass backwards and "peanuts" but they continue to do their job the best they can. And let's not forget it cost at least 4 times more to live here in San Pedro than anywhere else in Belize. They aren't paid anymore to come here so yes part time, after hour jobs are the only way they survive. And, IF you have or had a complaint about an officer, you should take their badge number that they ALL wear on their shoulder and report them to Mr.Arnold. He tolerates NOTHING from the officers. Keep doing your job guys!
We do not have a 100 murders a year and there is not human trafficking going on "everywhere". Crime here is majority "petty crimes" and "petty theft". Remember where you are! There are poor people here and the government doesn't give them money to live every month like welfare in the states. Hookers. There are a few "scatales" here as they are called and they stick out like a sore thumb. They aren't kids either, they are grown women and proud of what they do, they flaunt it.
Murders and drugs???? Again what rock did you just crawl out from under? Don't you typically "reap what you sew"? If you run with drug dealers can you really expect anything but trouble?
There is always "room for improvement" everywhere and we are no different here.
I will say this. The majority of the people here are friendly, kind, helpful, always smiling and happy. We have amazing diving and snorkeling. Some of the best in the world. The food is amazing at most places. The culture is abundant. The water is beautiful and the reef is incredible.
Go home Betty you don't deserve our beautiful island we CHOOSE to call home.
Tourist, come and see for yourself. We are well worth the trip!
Belize is known to be a Paradise for Human Trafficking and Drug Dealers. I would not buy a House or Island there. I would not even go there in a Holliday. Panama is much safer and less corrupt than Belize. Belize is ruled by gangsters. Belize could be a Pearl but it been destroyed.
In light of the fact that thousands are dying along the Mexican border in the government's crack down on drug gangs, it is no suprice that other countries become easier transit points. We would be foolish to think that Belize is not on the list.
Personally owning land in Belize as a Canadian,this does concern me. Money and drugs have no conscious and will always flow along the paths of least resistence.
Betty Phillips you are a loser!!! U need to get laid or see a psychologist. If you are looking for a job in journalism i suggest you find another job because you are terrible at this one.
Unfortunately the United Nations, the US State department, the Canadian government and the Australian governmnet just to name a few substatiate all of this. If you don't like what Betty is saying you are either blind, involved or too stupid to live. Belize is beautiful...but the crime makes it repulsive. Florida is cleaner, cheaper and safer. You can now buy a condo in Florida since the economic crash for pennies on the dollar. I bought several and have left Belize in the dust after years of putting up with corruption etc. Betty I don't think you are a loser, but I invite you to leave Belize and go someplace sane. Belize is a great place...to leave!
I don't understand, We have smart persons doing stupid thing that wont help them in life. i would kindly ask you to put all that energy to something useful and make our world a better place. Belize is in the top places to visit and live, just ask the millions that have visited our wonderful Belize.
marijuana is good
The San Pedro police shows total lack of regard for public safety. The other day we called for help countless times as we were being attacked in our own yard by " a friend" of theirs who happens to be our neighbor. The guy was violently drunk . We were literally held prisoner inside our home for that length of time, and were attacked when we went out. The police told us that
My husband will be charged with assault for self defense and our tormenter will be charged with harm a mi or offense. I am disillusioned and sad. I had such high hopes for this beautiful
Island ,but considering the lack of a decent police department and overt corruption I no longer feel safe. We however will not let this issue run us off the island . We will fight this to the fullest.next time my neighbor decides to get drunk and threaten our liives again he'll get it worse and we will be armed this time.
Saddened resident
we were hoping to move to ambergris caye and retire. I have read nothing but bad news about drugs in Belize and now on Ambergris Caye. Now we will not. I guess staying in the USA is best. Sad such a beautiful place is ruined by drugs/crime.
it is very simple; if you think that San Pedro is corrupted, filled with drugs and crime, don't come. We dont want you here as a matter of fact if you are inundated with negativity-- directly, if you think like that please don't come, because your pessimistic vibez might follow you and the tamest shark might eat you. San Pedro is not for everybody...San Pedro is for those who are self actualized and not looser! and by the way Betty is just so wrong: I hate wen individuals blame innocent parties for the resentment of others. But the truth is Drugs-Crime exists everywhere...however the closest you can get to paradise is San Pedro. as a matter of fact you can lose your life in the safest place. San Pedro is small Cozzy and overwhelming tourist destination. And it takes a stupid person to know another.
Offended 18 months ago
Betty whomever you are.. This is such an irresponsible post. You choose to demonize a good destination that has nothing but good ratings in travel circles for quality of experience, good stewardship of the environment, and more importantly an industry that provides thousands of jobs cor otherwise destitute island residents.. How dare you! You paint this picture of pure corruption, yet no mention that the only reason a drug trafficking industry exists is because thee is no attention paid by The US to curb consumption, and the only reason ficha bars exist is because there is again, a North American market who frequent the establishments. I live in South Florida where the "ficha" bars are licensed to operate and the girls make tons of money and drive expensive cars while paying their way through college.. Again because there is a lucrative North American market!!! My only advice.. Look in your own backyard before criticizing someone else's trash!