Third American Tourist in Three Days Caught with Marijuana at PGIA

For the third day in a row, an American tourist has been apprehended at the Philip Goldson International Airport with marijuana. 22-year-old Nathan Andre Irons, a delivery driver from Illinois, arrived yesterday with 7 grams of the drug hidden in his luggage. Irons’ case got off to a rough start today after he suffered a seizure at the Ladyville Police Station just before he was to be arraigned in court.  He was taken to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital for treatment, delaying his court appearance by about an hour. Irons eventually appeared in court where he pleaded guilty to a single count of importation of a controlled drug.  He was fined $1,000 plus $5 cost of court, which he paid in full. The details of the arrest are that Customs and Immigration officers at the PGIA detected a strong aroma of cannabis emanating from Irons. A search of his luggage revealed the marijuana hidden inside a plastic bottle labeled as containing medication. The bottle also contained antibiotics. Irons’ case follows the arrest of a couple on Sunday with 6 grams and another tourist on Monday with 6 grams. While marijuana has been decriminalized in Belize up to ten grams, the importation of the drug remains illegal.