By Belize Live News Staff: Lincoln Gregory Saenz, a 26-year-old American-Belizean residing in Kings Park, Belize City, faced the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on Thursday for possession of controlled drugs. Saenz, who was visiting family for the holidays, pleaded guilty to having 27 grams of marijuana in his vehicle on New Year’s Eve.
The incident occurred on December 31, 2024, when police officers on patrol noticed Saenz’s Kia Sportage parked outside a known drug peddler’s residence in Kings Park. Upon conducting a search of the vehicle, officers discovered the marijuana stored in a ceramic container. Subsequent tests confirmed the substance to be cannabis.
During the court hearing, Saenz, a father of two, explained that he used marijuana to manage symptoms of eczema, a skin condition visibly affecting his elbow. However, his explanation did not exempt him from penalties. The Magistrate fined him $300, along with a $5 court cost, which he was ordered to pay immediately. Failure to comply would result in a three-month prison sentence.
In his mitigation plea, Saenz acknowledged Belize’s legal limit for marijuana possession, which is 10 grams, and compared it to the 21-gram limit in the United States. Despite his awareness of the law, his possession exceeded the permissible amount under Belizean regulations.
Saenz had planned to leave Belize the day after his arrest but spent several days in police detention following the incident. The court issued a non-custodial sentence, allowing Saenz to avoid imprisonment, provided he adheres to Belize’s drug possession laws in the future.
