Belize City Man Fined $14,000 for Unlicensed Firearms and Ammunition

A Belize City man was given a hefty fine in court today for unlicensed firearms and ammunition.  Thirty-seven-year-old Aaron Marlon Castillo and 29-year-old Jacqueline Orellana were arrested on Saturday, October 26, following a police search at their Buttonwood Bay home. The police discovered two unlicensed firearms: a black and silver 9mm CZ pistol and a .223 Eagle Arms rifle, along with 61 rounds of .223 caliber ammunition. In court today, Castillo pleaded guilty while Orellana pleaded not guilty. He was fined ten thousand dollars for the firearms and over four thousand dollars for the ammunition. His attorney Ronell Gonzalez explained that Castillo managed to escape prison time, as the firearms had previously been licensed, and that the licenses had expired.

Castillo has until February 28, 2025, to pay the fines or face up to five years in prison.