Farmer Remanded for Unlicensed Firearm; Bail to Be Sought in High Court

A 60-year-old farmer from Burrell Boom Village is behind bars tonight, awaiting a bail application at the High Court for firearm and ammunition charges. Stephen Flowers appeared unrepresented in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court, where he was charged with possessing a 12-gauge shotgun and seven live rounds of ammunition without a license. Due to the nature of the offense, bail could not be granted in the first instance and was remanded to the Belize Central Prison until his next court date on January 8, 2025. Bail for firearm-related charges must be sought through the High Court, leaving Flowers in custody until a determination is made. Police allege that on Garifuna Settlement Day, November 19, 2024, around 7:15 p.m., officers from the Special Patrol Unit (SPU) and GI3 personnel were patrolling Burrell Boom Village when they encountered a man walking along the main road. The man, dressed in camouflage pants and carrying a black metal object, fled into nearby bushes as police approached. Officers pursued the suspect and located him using a flashlight approximately 15 feet off the road. Flowers reportedly dropped the object in his hand a 12-gauge shotgun with a black barrel and brown wooden stock when confronted.