Belize City Man Fined After Pleading Guilty to Drug Trafficking Charge

A 21-year-old Belize City resident has been convicted and fined after pleading guilty to a drug trafficking charge stemming from a police pursuit earlier this month.  Kaden Dennis Young, a construction worker of George Street, appeared unrepresented before Magistrate Neeshad Mohammed where he was charged with possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply after police allegedly discovered 234 grams of cannabis inside a vehicle he was driving.  Young wasted no time in admitting to the offence and entered a guilty plea with an explanation. Following the plea, the court imposed a non-custodial sentence, ordering Young to pay a fine of one thousand seven hundred dollars plus five dollars in court costs. He has until December 30, to pay the amount. Failure to do so will result in five months imprisonment.  According to police, the incident occurred on Friday, June 12, while officers were conducting foot patrol duties on Rocky Road in Belize City. Police say their attention was drawn to a Ford Focus traveling in the area. Officers pursued the vehicle after becoming suspicious, and during the chase the driver reportedly exited the vehicle and fled on foot, leaving behind a passenger.  A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a black plastic bag containing two smaller bags filled with what police suspected to be cannabis. The passenger was detained and taken to the police station as investigations continued.  However, police say the passenger was later spared criminal charges after Young voluntarily turned himself in and identified himself as the driver of the vehicle at the time the drugs were found.  During mitigation, Young asked the court for leniency, noting that this was his first conviction. The court subsequently opted to impose a fine rather than a custodial sentence.