By Belize Live News Staff: Belize City Police seized nearly 20 pounds of marijuana, a prohibited firearm, ammunition, and a trove of Chinese passports and Belizean immigration stamps during a raid on a home on Western Avenue, authorities said on Monday.
Three men, including the homeowner, were arrested and face multiple charges. Joshua Moses Ashburn, 47, Keenen Anthony O’Connor, 20, and Mario Fernandez, 30, were each charged with keeping a prohibited firearm and ammunition and two counts of drug possession with intent to supply, police said.
The firearm, a .40 caliber pistol, was loaded with 11 live rounds. Police also recovered four bags of cannabis weighing 19.85 pounds in total.
Ashburn attempted to plead guilty to simple possession of the drugs during a court appearance on Tuesday but denied intent to supply. The court refused his plea and entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf. O’Connor and Fernandez pleaded not guilty to all charges, according to court records.
Only O’Connor was represented by legal counsel. The court denied bail for all three men due to the seriousness of the charges, remanding them to Belize Central Prison until their next court date on Jan. 20, 2025.
Authorities are investigating the cache of Chinese passports and Belizean immigration stamps found during the raid, which could lead to additional charges, a police spokesperson said.
