He's a lawyer on vacation, but our next story is about a tourist who went from cruise visitor to cocaine trafficker. 34-year-old U.S attorney Brian Stowe appeared in Magistrate's Court today to answer to charges of drug trafficking. He appeared before Magistrate Roberto Ordonez where he was formally charged with drug trafficking.
Stowe who arrived in Belize City yesterday on a cruise ship was searched at the Tourism Village after police saw he and Belizean taxi driver 25 year old Evan Young acting suspiciously. Police found 1.3 grams of cocaine in a Ziploc bag stowed in Stowes' pocket.
In court today Stowe told the Magistrate that the drug was for his personal consumption and pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of drug possession. Magistrate Ordonez accepted the plea but not before informing him that the penalty for drug trafficking is 3 years in jail and a fine of $10,000. Because of the plea however Stowe was fined $750 to be paid forthwith or serve 8 months in jail.
As for the taxi driver police took him to the station where he was searched and 1 point 2 grams of cannabis was found in his boxer shorts. For that he also appeared in Magistrate's Court on charges of possession of a controlled drug. He pleaded guilty and was fined $100 by Magistrate Aretha Ford.
