A 19-year-old fisherman who worked as a watchman on Turneffe Island was convicted in Belize City Magistrate’s Court on two counts of possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply.[1] Cameron Flowers, a resident of Mopan Street, Belize City, was caught with 61 grams and 209 grams of marijuana on the island.[1] He appeared unrepresented before Chief Magistrate Jayani Wegodapola and pleaded guilty to both counts.[1] He said the marijuana was for personal use during his extended stays on the remote island, but the amounts exceeded the 60-gram threshold, which makes possession with intent to supply the automatic charge.[1]

As a first-time offender he avoided the usual mandatory minimum penalty of $10,000 and/or three years in prison.[1] The prosecutor acknowledged that he had no prior convictions and did not seek the full sentence, but asked the court to weigh the substantial quantities found on him.[1] In mitigation he told the court that Turneffe Island lies 37 miles from Belize City and that the isolation of his work left him few chances to replenish supplies.[1] Chief Magistrate Wegodapola fined him $800 plus $5 court costs for the first count, involving 61 grams of marijuana.[1]

For the second count, involving 209 grams, she fined him $1,000 plus $5 court costs.[1] He has until March 14, 2025, to pay both fines, which total $1,810.[1] If he misses the deadline he faces five months’ imprisonment on the first count and an additional year on the second.[1]