He's always dreamt of visiting Belize and this evening 45 year old U.S resident Allen Richmond almost didn't leave Belize. The South Carolina native sailed into Belize on a cruise ship this morning but was busted with marijuana this afternoon. He was stopped and searched on North Front Street by a tourism police officer who found the marijuana wrapped in two transparent plastic bags in Allen's pocket. He was charged for drug possession and pleaded guilty.
Magistrate Sharon Frazer could have sent Allen straight to jail but when she asked him why she shouldn't - he begged for leniency, explaining that he had always wanted to visit Belize and never expected to be arrested for drug possession. Not original, but quaint, and it was enough to get him fined, and not confined. That fine was $500 and $5 for court cost. He told the court that he was unemployed but the fine was paid by his ex-wife who was on the cruise with him. They dashed out of the courtroom and made it back on the ship on time.
