Cocaine loot washes up on shore!

25 kilos of cocaine are off the streets of San Pedro Town after a local resident turned the drugs in to police. According to the Head of the San Pedro Police Department Assistant Superintendent Dennis Arnold, at about 1:30 p.m. today, a resident who preferred to remain anonymous handed over to police a bag containing 25 packs of cocaine each weighing one (1) kilo. The drugs were found some two miles north of San Pedro Town along the coast near Palapa Bar.
Assistant Superintendent Arnold stated that the resident was travelling along the beach when he noticed a bag floating along the shoreline. When the male resident opened the bag, he noticed 25 packages neatly wrapped and suspected them to contain cocaine. The resident then proceeded to turn the drugs to the proper authorities.
Assistant Superintendent Arnold explained that about two weeks ago, the Police Department received information of a possible “wet drop” along the coast of Ambergris Caye. He said that as a result, members of the Anti-Drugs Unit were deployed to the area where they conducted a number of operations but none proved successful. Assistant Superintendent Arnold said that it is the largest amount of drugs turned into San Pedro Police Department since his taking control of the Coastal Executive Zone. While Arnold refused to give information as to the citizen’s identity, all he would say was that it was a law abiding citizen that has been working very closely with the police department to fight crime. Arnold applauded the action of the local San Pedro Town resident encouraging others to do likewise.

The drugs have been labelled as 'found property' and carry an approximate street value of $375, 000. Authorities claim that the drugs will be destroyed by fire.

Attention: Students

Environmental Project Competition for Primary Schools

Belmopan, 6th January, 2009

The Department of the Environment, within the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment is having a competition on environmental projects for primary schools.
Primary schools are invited to submit a proposal on a project they want to implement in their school that is environmentally-based. They will be required to submit a proposal detailing what the project is all about, how the school came up with the idea, what the students are required to do, what are the environmental (and otherwise) benefits of the project, the timeframe of the project, and its budget.
The competition is geared towards providing students the opportunity to learn, about their environment, be actively involved in its conservation and protection, and experience teamwork; it can also stimulate an interest in environmental issues affecting them and facilitate continuity of the benefits derived from the project.
The Department of the Environment is interested in finding out what schools are presently doing to improve their environment, what environmental issues they are interested in, and to work with schools across the country to help educate youths about their environment. Prizes for winning project proposals include partial funding of the project, a desktop computer and an encyclopedia set.
For more information on the guidelines for the primary school environmental project competition, please contact the Department of the Environment at 822-2542 or 2816 or visit the website at http://www.doe.gov.bz/

Deadline for submissions is January 30th, 2009.

Wetlands form an integral part of Belize's environment.

Environmental Poster Competition for High School Students

Belmopan, 6th January, 2009

The Department of the Environment, within the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment is having a poster competition for high school students. Individual students are invited to participate by being creative in using their knowledge of environmental issues.

The theme for the poster competition is centered on “wetlands” with the objective of increasing awareness on the importance of wetlands, their current status in Belize, why and how they are being impacted. The winning posters will then be used to publish an educational poster that will be used in future public education activities by the Department of the Environment. The collection of submitted posters will also be exhibited.

The intent is to give students the opportunity to learn about their environment and think about current environmental issues while encouraging the development of their artistic abilities. Prizes for winning posters include a laptop computer and a desktop computer.
For more information on the guidelines for the environmental poster competition for high schools, please contact the Department of the Environment at 822-2542 or 2816 or visit the website at http://www.doe.gov.bz/

Deadline for submissions is January 30th , 2009.

Fun corner - What happened to Dianne?

Dianne from Quicksilver Messenger Service got into a little accident over the holidays. Now those who have heard the story of what happened to her know that it was a small incident, one that she is actually ashamed to tell. No glorified details, no fun recount, nothing. So, what do you think happened to Dianne? Give us a little snippet of what you think might have happened? Remember, not too long of a story and something that can be reprinted. Dianne will take a look at the mini-stories and decide which one she likes best. That person will take home a $25 gift certificate for Quicksilver and a $25 bartab at BC's and a Birthday ad on The San Pedro Sun.
Entries are free so just email us your story. Email to spsun@sanpedrosun.net

Some of the comments received already:

*This is my short version of what happen to her one day while she was delievering papers she was on her bike and she heard a dog barking got scared and fell off it therefore causing the not so bad but kind of embarrassing injury to her hand.
Name: Antonio Arceo Work: Mayan Princess

**It was a mail emergency. Dainne was called from sorting to answer a cry for help. Immediate mail delivery was required. Always pertinacious, she jumped on her trusty bike and away she went. Unbeknownst to Dianne, at that very moment a gathering was happening. The Caribbean breeze was joining with a lagoon wind. The result was a swirling mass that was gaining strength as if to become a tornado. Dianne rode straight into it, undeterred for the mail must get through. The flyby anomaly tried to pry the mail from her fingers but she leapt to keep it safe. Unfortunately as she rose up her bike was pulled unceremoniously out from under her. Down she went, the mail clutched firmly in her broken hand.
Kim and Kathy

Official Law Enforcement Officers visit to San Pedro

Admiral Cedric Borland, Major Ganney Dortch and Major Anthony Velasquez

Today the island had the official visit of Admiral Cedric Borland, Commander of the Belize National Coast Guard. He was accompanied by Major Ganney Dortch, Chief of Staff of the Belize Defense Force and Major Anthony Velasquez, Operating Officer ot the Belize Defense Force. The visit included the inspection of the new living quarters for the Coast Guard, Anti-Drugs Unite of the Police Department and the Belize Defense Force in the San Pablo Area.

In a short interview with Admiral Cedric Borland, he explained that he will be meeting with the local authorities on the island to seek support for the law enforcement agencies on the island.

Tourist unhappy over traffic mishap

Bicycles are perhaps one of the fastest modes of transportation on the island and for those tourists economizing; it is perhaps the cheapest way to visit Ambergris Caye. One tourist did not have the best experience after she was involved in a traffic mishap on December 28th on the island. Christine Rodriguez, an American lawyer from the State of California, explained to The San Pedro Sun that sometime between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m. on the night of question, she, along with her boyfriend Angel Topette, was riding her bicycle in the Banyan Bay Area when she was hit by a golf cart. The man behind the wheel was later identified as Harry Longsworth, manager of the town’s Transport Department whom Rodriguez claims was driving his golf cart while on his cellular phone. According to the lawyer, it was not until after Longsworth got off his phone that she was approached by him and questioned, “Why did you hit me?”

Harry Longsworth, who is the former Ambergris Caye Traffic Control Chairman, denied being on the phone while driving. He went on to explain that it was not until after the accident that he got on the phone to call the police for assistance. Longsworth stated that he was driving on Coconut Drive near Mar de Tumbo Area and was about to make a right turn in front of Los Caminates Store on his way home. It was while he was making the turn that he accidentally collided with a cyclist who was attempting to overtake the cart on the right hand side of the road.
According to the Police Department, they responded to the scene of a traffic accident where they observed the right front wheel of a golf cart on top of the front wheel of the bicycle involved in the incident. While no one was seriously hurt, police still proceeded to process the scene and statements were recorded after which the police informed both Longsworth and Rodriguez of a notice of intended prosecution. Officer Commanding the San Pedro Police Formation, Superintendent Dennis Arnold clarified that neither individual wanted court action hence no one was charged. However, according to Rodriguez she was not given the adequate attention by police officers. Superintendent Arnold denied Rodriguez’s accusation stating that what she had wanted was for Longsworth to accept fault and compensate her for damages to the bicycle and medical expenses. Police officers told Rodriguez that the Department could not impose fault on anyone and it was for the court to determine who had caused the accident.

Read more on this story in today's issue of the The San Pedro Sun! In stores now!