TNAG-1709-FCO40-2384-Hong-Kong-narcotics-offences-and-drug-trafficking-1988 — Page 29

MEXICO AND CENTRAL AMERICA

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BELIZE

Summary: Eradication will remain at the center of U.S. anti-narcotics efforts in Belize. By the end of 1987 additional emphasis will be placed on

on criminal investigation and interdiction. DEA is also adding personnel to its Guatemala City office which will permit more frequent visits to Belize. This will provide valuable support to criminal investigations and interdiction activities. End Summary.

Projected crop cultivation remains the same as in the 1987 INCSR. Prior to the beginning of the March 1987 eradication campaign, Belize Defense Force (BDF) reconnaissance uncovered more than 1100 acres of marijuana cultivation. This figure is lower than previous pre-eradication campaign reconnaissance. There is no estimate on production. Fields and seedbeds are now being sprayed as they are discovered. This means production should be down, but some fields may go undetected.

An intensive eradication campaign with BDF ground and air support was conducted from March 24 to April 10, 1987, starting with one fixed-wing aircraft (Thrush) and adding a second on April 3. During the campaign 48 sorties were flown, 1223 fields sprayed and an estimated 1094.75 acres of marijuana destroyed. During this period, BDF ground forces manually destroyed 15 acres of marijuana fields. During the week of April 13, aircraft conducted .clean-up operations. On April 20, aircraft and herbicide mixing equipment were deployed to Guatemala and returned April 24.

in Belize to

Since April 24, one Thrush has been active counter the growers' tactic of immediately replanting after one eradication campaign in order to be able to harvest near-mature plants shortly before or during the next campaign. With the single Thrush flying daily, weather permitting, reconnaissance and spraying have been combined into one operation. A BDF defender aircraft flys cover and identifies fields. The Thrush confirms the presence of marijuana and sprays the field. Through July 2, 39 sorties have been flown against the following targets: fields 363, seedbeds 381, and acreage 299.75. Marijuana planting has picked up since the rainy season began in early June.

The principal interdiction effort in the first half of 1987 was the BDF/Police deployment in connection with the March 24-April 10 aerial eradication campaign.. This resulted in the confiscation of 5,555 lbs of marijuana, the destruction storage locations and 29 arrests.

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