BELIZE CITY, Wed. July 8, 2020– The Police Department’s Commander of Operations, ACP Marco Vidal, is presently hospitalized, and is reportedly in a stable condition, after he was rushed to the hospital’s emergency room after he suffered a stroke-like condition yesterday evening at the Queen Street Police Station.

Vidal had just concluded a police press brief where he, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams and Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte had informed the nation of the state of emergency that has been declared for southside Belize City.

Commissioner Williams said that the state of emergency was declared to combat the escalating crime caused by warring gang members, and to stop the increasing robberies, holdups, extortion and threats against businessmen which are being carried out by the gangs.

A predawn operation had been carried out to capture gang members to commence the state of emergency.

The predawn operation in the city’s Southside was headed by ACP Vidal and more than 300 policemen who participated in the operation.

The operation rounded up 99 gang members, who are known criminals, and their affiliates. They will be remanded for 30 days during which they will be investigated for various crimes they may have committed or participated in.

At the police press brief, Vidal was seen having difficulty breathing, and seemed to be suffering a stroke, and he was rushed to the Belize Medical Associates hospital.