By Breaking Belize News Staff: A 35-year-old Belize City barber who was granted bail on a drug trafficking charge was detained by police under the ongoing State of Emergency (SOE) moments after his arraignment at the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
Leon Alexander Gomez, of Oleander Street, appeared unrepresented before a magistrate in Court #5, where he pleaded not guilty to possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply in connection with 4.57 grams of crack cocaine.
With no objection from the prosecution, Gomez was granted bail of $1,000 plus one surety of the same amount or two sureties of $500 each. His case was adjourned until December 30, 2026.
However, before Gomez could post bail, officers from the Criminal Investigation Branch arrived at the courthouse on Coney Drive and detained him under the State of Emergency. He was subsequently escorted to the Queen Street Police Station for processing ahead of his detention at the Belize Central Prison.
The development comes amid an intensified police crackdown following the declaration of a State of Emergency in 19 areas across Belize City, Ladyville, Cotton Tree and Unitedville.
Police previously disclosed that approximately 60 individuals had been identified for possible detention under the emergency measures, which took effect on November 1 following a deadly escalation in gang-related violence.
Gomez’s detention under the SOE is separate from the drug charge for which he was granted bail. He has not been convicted of that offence.
The post Leon Gomez detained under State of Emergency moments after receiving bail on drug charge appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: A 35-year-old Belize City barber who was granted bail on a drug trafficking charge was detained by police under the ongoing State of Emergency (SOE) moments after his arraignment at the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday. Leon Alexander Gomez, of Oleander Street, appeared unrepresented before a magistrate in Court
The post Leon Gomez detained under State of Emergency moments after receiving bail on drug charge appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
