BELIZE CITY, Fri. Aug. 7, 2015–An unemployed Belize City woman who is the mother of 2 children is facing a drug trafficking charge that could result in a mandatory $10,000 minimum fine and a possible 3-year prison sentence if she is found guilty.
Ann Marie Garbutt’s troubles began yesterday when officers at the Belize Central Prison searched her and found 5 grams of weed that she was attempting to smuggle into the facility.
Garbutt, 28, a resident of Mahogany Street, was read the single count of possession of 5 grams of a controlled drug with intent to distribute to another for the purpose of drug trafficking when she appeared before Magistrate Ladonna John.
Garbutt pleaded not guilty to the charge and was released on bail of $6,000 plus two sureties of $3,000 each, because court prosecutor Corporal Noel Muschamp did not object to granting her bail. Garbutt’s case has been adjourned to October 7.
A court document reveals that Garbutt was busted yesterday, Thursday, about 1:33 p.m. at the Belize Central Prison. Prison officers reported to Hattieville police that when they searched Garbutt, they discovered the drug hidden between three Styrofoam plates, in which she was carrying food for a prisoner.
Garbutt was handed over to PC Quincy Garcia of the Hattieville Police Station.
In open court, Magistrate John informed Garbutt about the penalty for drug trafficking and possible jail time she is facing.
Garbutt, who was visiting the prison in the company of another female, is believed to have been taking the cannabis for one of the four men accused of the Friday, July 31, 2015 bank robbery of FirstCaribbean International Bank.
