Posted: Thursday, July 17, 2025. 1:16 pm CST.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: Two young American cousins vacationing in Belize are now free after receiving what many consider a “slap on the wrist” for bringing small quantities of marijuana into the country. After spending a night in lockdown at the Ladyville Police Station, the pair appeared on Thursday morning before Magistrate Ludlow Black at the Belize City Magistrate’s Court, where they were fined $205 each for importing a controlled drug.
The accused—Jackiel Savion Barrow, 18, of Stanford, Connecticut, and Anthony Burrows-Steele, 24, of Willingboro, New Jersey—arrived in Belize on July 16 via JetBlue Airlines from New York as part of a larger family vacation. Their luggages were searched upon arrival at the Philip Goldson International Airport, leading to the discovery of 3.45 grams of cannabis in Barrow’s bag and 10.46 grams in Burrows-Steele’s.
Both men were charged separately with importation of a controlled drug and pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. The court considered their clean records, early guilty pleas, and expressions of remorse. However, Magistrate Black reminded them that the offense of importing drugs is a serious crime in Belize, stating, “You are getting significant leniency because the offense is grave.”
Had the quantities been larger, the penalties would have been far more severe, he cautioned. The cannabis was reportedly stashed inside their luggage.
Each was fined $200 plus a $5 court cost, with a default sentence of two months imprisonment if unpaid. The fines were paid immediately, and the cousins left court visibly relieved and smiling.
Magistrate Black advised both young men to familiarize themselves with the laws of any country they visit in the future, emphasizing that what may be legal or overlooked elsewhere can carry strict penalties abroad.
Authorities continue to caution travelers that Belize’s laws on drug importation remain strict, regardless of quantity.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-612-0315.
© 2025, BreakingBelizeNews.com. Content is copyrighted and requires written permission for reprinting in online or print media. Theft of content without permission/payment is punishable by law.
The post American cousins on family vacation caught bringing weed to Belize appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Thursday, July 17, 2025. 1:16 pm CST. By Breaking Belize News Staff: Two young American cousins vacationing in Belize are now free after receiving what
The post American cousins on family vacation caught bringing weed to Belize appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
