Belize City Man Remanded on Crack Cocaine Charge

A Belize City man is tonight on remand at the Belize Central Prison after being busted with crack cocaine and denied bail in the Magistrate’s Court.  22-year-old Timothy Herbert, described as a laborer of Belize City, appeared late yesterday before the Chief Magistrate in Court Number One, where he was charged with possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply.  The charge stems from an incident on Monday, February 23, when police say Herbert was found in possession of five-point-one grams of suspected crack cocaine.  According to police, members of the Mobile Intelligence and Interdiction Team were on patrol along Flamboyant Street around five-twenty-five p.m. when their attention was drawn to Herbert, who was riding a blue twenty-inch bicycle and allegedly acting suspiciously.  Officers conducted a search and reportedly discovered a bright green container in Herbert’s hand containing a white substance suspected to be crack cocaine. He was taken to the Mahogany Street Police Station, where the substance was weighed and amounted to five-point-one grams.  In court, Herbert pleaded not guilty. However, the Chief Magistrate noted his prior drug-related convictions and outstanding court debt of three hundred and five dollars from July of last year.  Although the court indicated there are conditions that could allow Herbert to be considered for bail in the future, the Chief Magistrate ruled that he must first enroll in a rehabilitation program while on remand. A progress report from the Belize Central Prison will be required before any bail consideration.  The court also explained that under the law, possession of more than one gram of cocaine carries the more serious charge of possession with intent to supply, which may attract a minimum fine of ten thousand dollars and/or up to three years’ imprisonment.  Herbert remains on remand pending further court proceedings and compliance with the court-ordered rehabilitation requirements.