The newly formed Coastguard Seal Team, the special operating arm of the Belize National Coastguard, charged with the responsibility of conducting high-risk operations, counter-narcotics operations, counter-terrorism operations, and maritime interception operations, were baptized by fire about 7:30 Saturday morning.

The Coast Guard was conducting anti-drug operations in the Rocky Point area of San Pedro when they came under fire from a group of men as they were approaching a camp in the area. The Coast Guard returned fire, and as a result, one man was shot and two were captured, although two others managed to get away.

A 24-year-old resident of San Mateo, San Pedro, was shot in the buttocks, and the bullet exited through his left hip. He is presently being treated for the injury in the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, and the other two men captured are in police custody.

Deputy Coast Guard Commandant, Elton Bennett, told the media that at the time of the encounter they were conducting special operations in the Rocky Point Area of Northern Ambergris Caye about 7:30 Saturday morning. The patrol was deployed near the Mexico-Belize border, and in the Rocky Point area, they came under fire from a group of five men about a mile away from where they began the patrol. The patrol later searched the area of the camp and a bag containing over 200 grams of weed was found.

Deputy Commandant Bennett believed that the actions of the Coast Guard prevented a major drug operation that was about to have been conducted in the area, because the area is a known meeting point for criminals and drug dealers.