Public Officer Charged After Police Seize Over 16 Pounds of Cannabis

Public officer Andrew Wade has been arrested and formally charged following a significant drug bust that has raised concerns about accountability within the public service.  Police report that Wade was found in possession of a substantial quantity of suspected cannabis during an operation conducted earlier this week. Authorities say the discovery led to his immediate detention and subsequent charges.  According to police, Wade has since been taken before the court for arraignment.  Love News understands that he was remanded to the Belize Central Prison pending further proceedings.  Police Staff Officer ASP Stacy Smith, confirmed that a total of sixteen point three pounds of cannabis was found in Wade’s possession, describing the quantity as significant and consistent with intent beyond personal use.

Stacy Smith, Assistant Superintendent of Police: “Police have formally arrested and charged Andrew Wade a 45 year old public servant of Belmopan City for the offense of possession of control drugs with intent to supply to another. The arrest follows police’s execution of a search warrant at a residence in the Piscini era of Belmopan in the presence of Mr Wade. This search resulted in the discovery of 10 parcels of suspected cannabis, which when weighed amounted to 16.3 pounds. I am not able to confirm that if searches were conducted previously or if it resulted in discoveries previously, what I am grateful to hear you say that police officers often conduct search based on intelligence and surveillance and not just haphazardly.”

Authorities have not disclosed further details surrounding the circumstances of the arrest, but investigations remain ongoing.