Charges Withdrawn from Exhibit Keeper in Weed Gummies Case

Back in May 2023, Mario Bustillos, an exhibit keeper for the Belize Police Department, was slapped with ten charges of negligent harm after Belize City primary school children and an adult consumed cannabis-infused candies. Bustillos was accused of exceeding his authority by improperly disposing of the weed candies, which were labelled as found property. Bustillos did not enter a plea at that time, as the matter is being addressed through an indictment. However, News Five learned today that those ten charges were withdrawn in October 2023, six months after the incident. He now faces a new charge of willful suppression. His attorney, Nazira Myles Espat, told the court today that the compact disc provided by the prosecution is not functioning. The preliminary inquiry has been adjourned to May third, pending resolution of these technical difficulties. Bustillos remains on interdiction.