Police have collared three suspected drug traffickers.
Marion Paulino, a Belmopan resident, was charged after a search of his gold Toyota Hilux near St. Matthews Village on January 15 turned up 405 grams marijuana and 9 small marijuana plants. He pleaded not guilty and was bailed, but the vehicle remains impounded pending the case’s outcome.
Two city residents were likewise arrested and charged after attempting to outrun the police on Wednesday, January 23.
Gary Cooper, 25, and Richard Russell, 27, ran into an ADU police checkpoint at Miles 45 and 46 while traveling to Belize City from Belmopan. After doing a U-turn they tried to run, but were intercepted and a parcel of 148 grams of a hard, brownish, cube-shaped substance believed to be crack cocaine, separated in 10 transparent bags contained in a larger black plastic bag, was discovered in their green Toyota Camry.
Appearing in Magistrate’s Court, Cooper and Russell pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking, but could not meet bail and were remanded until their next court date.