Two Americans Fined for Importing Marijuana into Belize

Two American cousins, 18-year-old, Jackiel Savion Barrow, and 28-year-old, Anthony Burrows-Steele, were released today after spending a night in custody for importing marijuana into Belize. The pair were apprehended yesterday at the Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) after small quantities of cannabis were discovered in their luggage.  Barrow, an American student from Stamford, Connecticut, was found with 3.45 grams of marijuana, while his cousin, Burrows-Steele, a warehouse attendant from Willingboro, New Jersey, had 10.46 grams. Both were separately charged with importation of a controlled drug.  Escorted by Ladyville Police Sub-Formation officers, the cousins appeared before Magistrate Ludlow Black this morning where they both pleaded guilty.  Magistrate Black imposed a non-custodial sentence of a $200 fine each, plus a $5.00 court cost, with a default of two months’ imprisonment if unpaid. Despite the prosecutor highlighting the serious nature of importing controlled drugs, the Magistrate noted several mitigating factors. Both Barrow and Steele are first-time offenders in Belize, saved the court time with their early guilty pleas, and showed remorse for their actions.  However, Magistrate Black stressed the gravity of the offense, telling the students they were receiving significant leniency, and that a larger quantity of drugs would have resulted in a much more severe penalty.  The cousins, who arrived in Belize on a JetBlue Airline flight from New York for a family vacation, were able to pay their fines within an hour of their arraignment.