Email

Print

The commanding officer told us more about it today:

Supt. Howell Gillett - OC, Belmopan Police
"Earlier this morning, just after 12am in the morning a specialist unit within the Belmopan Police formation was on a strategic patrol on the George Price Highway when we encountered a taxi from Benque Viejo along with someone from Belize City who were onboard. The names of the persons who were in the vehicle at the time are Jenny Silva, Yolanda Patt, both are from Benque Viejo, I think it is 61 Chruch Street, Benque Viejo and then also along with them was Casey Fitzgerald Smith of 20 Cor. George and Bishop Streets in Belize City. The vehicle was search and eventually we found 94.5 pounds of marijuana. Also found in the vehicle was a 9mm R uger pistol with a magazine containing 8 live rounds. All 3 persons were charged and taken to the Belmopan Magistrate Court today. One of the persons Casey Smith plead guilty to all the charges and the charges against the other two were withdrawn. Mr. Smith was fined $10,000 for the drugs plus 3 years and in default of paying the $10,000 he has to serve another 3 years and he was fined 5 years for the gun and 5 years for the ammunition. All the sentences are to run concurrently."

To recap, Casey Fitzgerald Smith pleaded guilty the afternoon when he was arraigned today in the Magistrate's Court. He was sentenced to spend 3 years in jail for the drug trafficking charge. Additionally, he must pay $10,000 in fines, and if he defaults, he will spend another 3 years. For the gun and ammunition charges, he was sentenced to spend 5 years in jail for each offense. All sentences are to run concurrently, and so, he will only spend 5 years, if he pays the fine.

The other accused persons were allowed to leave court free when the sitting magistrate dismissed the charges against them.