Belize City Taxi Driver Charged After Gun and Ammunition Discovery

A Belize City taxi driver is facing firearm and ammunition charges after police allegedly discovered a handgun and live rounds during a vehicle search on Central American Boulevard.  30-year-old Emerson Ellis West was arrested and charged with Kept Firearm without a Gun Licence and Kept Ammunition without a Gun Licence following an operation conducted by police yesterday afternoon.  According to police, at approximately 4:30 p.m. on June 9, officers were conducting patrols along Central American Boulevard when they stopped and searched a Toyota Sienna LE van being driven by West.  During the search, police reportedly discovered a Bersa pistol along with a magazine containing fourteen live .380 rounds of ammunition.  West, who identified himself as a taxi driver of a Belize City address, was unable to produce a valid firearm licence. Investigators subsequently determined that he is not the holder of a gun licence.  As a result, police formally arrested and charged West with the offences of Kept Firearm without a Gun Licence and Kept Ammunition without a Gun Licence.  He is expected to appear before the Belize City Magistrate’s Court to answer to the charges.