Xochil Lopez Joins Husband in Jail on Drugs and Firearms Charges

Tonight, Xochil Lopez, the wife of businessman Joshua Ashburn from Western Avenue, finds herself behind bars alongside her husband. The thirty-seven-year-old Belmopan resident faces four criminal charges, including possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition, and two counts of possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply. Late this evening, Lopez appeared in Court #6, represented by attorney Dale Cayetano. She was charged with keeping a prohibited firearm without a license for a black .40 caliber Glock pistol, keeping prohibited ammunition for twenty-four live rounds, and two counts of possessing nearly nine thousand grams of cannabis. Lopez pleaded not guilty to all charges. Due to the severity of the offenses, the magistrate informed her that bail could not be granted under Section 16 of the Crimes Control Criminal & Justice Act. Consequently, she was remanded to Belize Central Prison until January twentieth, 2024. Lopez was advised that she could apply for bail at the High Court with her attorney’s help. She now joins her husband, forty-seven-year-old Joshua Ashburn, who is also in custody.