By Breaking Belize News Staff: A 32-year-old Neal’s Pen Road resident has been fined $1,605 after pleading guilty to possession of more than 230 grams of cannabis with intent to supply.
Mark Raymond Castillo, a labourer of Belize City, appeared unrepresented before a Senior Magistrate in Court #2, where he pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply after police reportedly found 231.3 grams of cannabis at his residence.
The court imposed a fine of $1,600 plus $5 cost of court, which Castillo must pay by January 15, 2027, or serve six months in prison.
In determining the sentence, the Senior Magistrate considered the quantity of cannabis found and concluded that the amount was consistent with possession for financial gain.
The court also considered several mitigating factors, including that Castillo had no previous drug convictions, was a first-time offender for possession with intent to supply and entered an early guilty plea, saving the court the time and expense of a trial. His early plea resulted in a one-third reduction being applied to the sentence.
According to the facts presented in court, members of the Violence Interdiction Enforcement Team visited Castillo’s residence on Sunday, September 20, 2026 after receiving information.
Police asked Castillo whether he had anything illegal to declare, to which he reportedly replied no.
During a search of a bedroom, however, an officer allegedly discovered a black drawstring bag containing plastic bags with green leafy material suspected to be cannabis.
Castillo was cautioned and taken to the Fabers Road Police Station, where the suspected drugs were weighed in his presence and amounted to 231.3 grams.
He subsequently accepted responsibility and pleaded guilty to the charge.
The post Mark Castillo fined $1,605 after pleading guilty to possession of 231 grams of cannabis with intent to supply appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: A 32-year-old Neal’s Pen Road resident has been fined $1,605 after pleading guilty to possession of more than 230 grams of cannabis with intent to supply. Mark Raymond Castillo, a labourer of Belize City, appeared unrepresented before a Senior Magistrate in Court #2, where he pleaded guilty to possession of
The post Mark Castillo fined $1,605 after pleading guilty to possession of 231 grams of cannabis with intent to supply appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
