Union demands action on four-month-old stevedore cases in front of Essential Services Arbitration Tribunal
June 21, 2025
FIFA Club World Cup – Friday Recap: Flamengo and Bayern impress, Benfica run riot
June 21, 2025

Elderly man fined $300 for crack pipe possession; says he only uses drugs for pain relief

Views: 486

Posted: Saturday, June 21, 2025. 10:30 am CST.

By Breaking Belize News Staff: A 61-year-old Belize City man who admitted to using crack cocaine for pain relief was fined after pleading guilty to possession of drug utensils and an undetermined amount of crack cocaine.

Oscar Ponce appeared unrepresented before a Magistrate in Court #1 on Friday, where he wasted no time in accepting responsibility for the two charges. His arrest stemmed from a police search conducted on June 19, 2025, around 9:27 a.m. in Taylor’s Alley — an area known for drug activity.

During the search, officers found a 3-inch crack pipe in his pocket and a trace amount of crack cocaine in powdered form — so small it didn’t even register on the scale, measuring 0.0 grams. Despite the minuscule amount, Ponce was charged with possession of an undetermined quantity of the controlled drug.

In court, when asked by the Magistrate why he used the drug, Ponce replied:

“I use this as my medication because I wasn’t feeling well.”

He further explained that he suffers from ongoing pain due to past work-related injuries, including two broken ribs, and only uses the drug occasionally. When asked if he would consider entering a rehab program, Ponce said he had already done so in the past but now suffers from a skin condition and chronic pain that complicates his situation.

Due to his early guilty plea and to avoid wasting court time, Ponce was handed two non-custodial sentences:

  • $150 fine (plus $5 court cost) for possession of utensils used to smoke controlled drugs — due by August 29, 2025, or face 2 weeks in prison.
  • $100 fine (plus $5 court cost) for possession of crack cocaine — due by September 30, 2025.

Ponce, who has prior drug convictions, left the courtroom with a warning and a deadline — but no jail time, for now.

 

Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-612-0315.

 

© 2025, BreakingBelizeNews.com. Content is copyrighted and requires written permission for reprinting in online or print media. Theft of content without permission/payment is punishable by law.

Comments

  • Galen University
  • Belmopan Aggregates
  • Belmopan Aggregates
  • larry waight
  • Galen University
  • cahal pech village resort
  • Belmopan Aggregates
  • Belmopan Aggregates