Nineteen year old Arenal resident Mario Cunil, one of two persons charged with drug trafficking for 1,814.4 grams of cannabis, about 4 pounds, was sentenced to 3 years and fined $10,000 today in the Magistrate's Court after he pleaded guilty to the charge.
Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser, who imposed the sentence, gave Cunil until December 15 to pay the fine. She told him that if he defaults on payment he will have to serve another 3 years, which means that the sentences will run concurrently. The prosecution did not withdraw the charge from the second defendant, 30 year old Leslie Grinage, a construction worker of 3 Carmelita Street, San Ignacio.
Grinage was offered bail of $8,000.00 and his case was adjourned until December 5th. The bust occurred around 12:30a.m today in Belize City. Grinage, with Cunil beside him, was driving a Toyota pick-up on Vernon Street contrary to traffic when he was stopped by the police.
A search of the pick-up truck resulted in the discovery of the cannabis in 4 plastic bags hidden on top of the spare wheel that was screwed underneath the pick-up truck. After he pleaded guilty Cunil said Grinage did not know anything about the cannabis. But Magistrate Fraser did not believe him.
Email
Print