By Breaking Belize News Staff: A Belize City couple charged after police discovered crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia saw sharply different outcomes in court on Wednesday, after the boyfriend accepted full responsibility for the offenses.
Thirty-six-year-old Russell Emmanuel James, a construction worker of West Canal, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled drug and possession of utensils after police found one gram of suspected crack cocaine and five aluminum crack pipes. His girlfriend, Kahline Patricia Thurton, 34, pleaded not guilty and was later freed when charges against her were withdrawn.
Both appeared unrepresented before the Belize City Magistrate’s Court, where the Chief Magistrate noted that James was not a first-time offender. He previously had a drug-related conviction and was convicted in 2007 for possession of utensils. The court further found it aggravating that James was found with multiple crack pipes and that the cocaine was parcelled off.
Instead of imposing a fine, the Chief Magistrate handed down a custodial sentence of three months’ imprisonment on each count. The sentences were ordered to run concurrently, meaning James will serve three months in prison in total.
In light of James’ guilty plea, the prosecution withdrew all charges against Thurton, and she was released.
According to police, the bust occurred on Monday, December 29, 2025, when officers searched a white elevated wooden house located through an alley off King Street. During the search, officers found a gold-colored metal container on a bed containing five aluminum pipes, along with a small clear plastic bag holding a solid substance suspected to be crack cocaine.
Police further reported that upon the discovery of the drugs, James allegedly told officers, “We could work out something, big man.” Both he and Thurton were then escorted to the King Street Police Station.
James was subsequently convicted, while Thurton walked free.
The post Couple busted with 5 crack pipes and crack but boyfriend takes the rap and will spend 3 months in jail appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: A Belize City couple charged after police discovered crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia saw sharply different outcomes in court on Wednesday, after the boyfriend accepted full responsibility for the offenses. Thirty-six-year-old Russell Emmanuel James, a construction worker of West Canal, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled drug and possession
The post Couple busted with 5 crack pipes and crack but boyfriend takes the rap and will spend 3 months in jail appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
