By Belize Live News Staff: For the third time in two weeks, a U.S. tourist has been caught bringing marijuana into Belize, despite its illegal status in the country. 28-year-old Jennifer Marroquin Valencia, an eyelash technician from Los Angeles, was detained at Philip Goldson International Airport on Thursday with 11.1 grams of marijuana.
Valencia, who appeared in court on Friday without legal representation, pleaded guilty to the charge of importation of a controlled drug. She explained that marijuana is legal in her home state of California and that she was unaware of Belize’s laws.
Despite her plea, Valencia was fined $1,000 plus a $5 court fee, which she was ordered to pay immediately due to her non-citizen status. This incident follows two similar arrests of U.S. citizens at the international airport last month.
These repeated incidents highlight the importance of travelers understanding and respecting the laws of the countries they visit, even if certain substances are legal in their home countries. Belize maintains strict laws regarding controlled substances, and ignorance of these laws is not a defense.
