By Breaking Belize News Staff: A 59-year-old Belize City tour guide accused of possessing crack cocaine did not secure a conviction after a Magistrate rejected his guilty plea, entering instead a plea of not guilty and granting him bail.
Valan Emmanuel Sanchez appeared unrepresented before the Magistrate, where he was read a single charge of possession of a controlled drug, namely an undetermined amount of crack cocaine. Sanchez initially pleaded guilty but provided an explanation that raised a possible defense.
According to police allegations, officers observed a white substance fall from Sanchez’s hand, which they claimed was crack cocaine. However, in court, Sanchez told the Magistrate that he was in his yard speaking with another person when police arrived, conducted a search, and detained him, insisting that nothing illegal was found on his person.
In light of his explanation, the Magistrate ruled that the plea was equivocal and formally entered a plea of not guilty on Sanchez’s behalf. With no objection from the prosecution, Sanchez was offered bail in the sum of $500 with one surety of the same amount.
Sanchez is due back in court on January 20, 2026.
The post Man pleads guilty to crack possession but court rejects his plea and gives him $500 bail appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: A 59-year-old Belize City tour guide accused of possessing crack cocaine did not secure a conviction after a Magistrate rejected his guilty plea, entering instead a plea of not guilty and granting him bail. Valan Emmanuel Sanchez appeared unrepresented before the Magistrate, where he was read a single charge of
The post Man pleads guilty to crack possession but court rejects his plea and gives him $500 bail appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
