By Breaking Belize News Staff: A Belize City taxi operator has been remanded to the Belize Central Prison after police say they found an unlicensed firearm and ammunition inside his vehicle on Central American Boulevard.
Emerson Ellis West, 30, of #25 Fabers Road, Belize City, appeared unrepresented on Wednesday before a Senior Magistrate in Court #2, where he was read two charges: keeping an unlicensed firearm and keeping unlicensed ammunition.
Allegations are that on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, West was found in possession of a silver and black .380 pistol with no serial number, along with 14 GECO brand live rounds of ammunition, without being granted a gun license.
West pleaded not guilty to both charges. However, due to the nature of the offenses, bail was denied and he was remanded until August 10, 2026.
According to police, around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, personnel from the Special Branch Firearm Team, along with Precinct 2 QRT officers, stopped and searched a heavily tinted Toyota Sienna LE van on Central American Boulevard based on intelligence.
Police identified the driver as West. During the search, an officer reportedly noticed a compartment below the cup holder in the center console. Upon removing the compartment, police say they found a rusty silver and black Bersa brand firearm marked “Thunder 380 Plus.”
Police say the firearm had no serial number. A black magazine was also found containing 14 live rounds of ammunition marked GECO.
When asked if he had a firearm license, West reportedly said no. Police further allege that West told officers, “I have to have my thing to protect myself, big man.”
West was escorted to the police station, where he was formally charged.
The post ‘I have to have my thing to protect myself big man’: Taxi driver remanded for unlicensed .380 appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: A Belize City taxi operator has been remanded to the Belize Central Prison after police say they found an unlicensed firearm and ammunition inside his vehicle on Central American Boulevard. Emerson Ellis West, 30, of #25 Fabers Road, Belize City, appeared unrepresented on Wednesday before a Senior Magistrate in Court
The post ‘I have to have my thing to protect myself big man’: Taxi driver remanded for unlicensed .380 appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
