标签： Belize

In a landmark ruling that underscores the legal profession’s accountability standards, Belize’s High Court has delivered a scathing judgment against prominent attorney Hubert E. Elrington for severe breaches of fiduciary responsibilities. Justice M. Javed Mansoor presided over the case involving the estate of the late James Lightburn, where Elrington served as executor.

The court determined that Elrington committed grave violations in managing the estate’s affairs, particularly concerning a 562.7-acre property at Ben Lemond Cornhouse, Creek Works Area. This property was sold on June 13, 2017, for US$450,000, with the estate entitled to half of this amount (US$225,000 or BZ$450,000). Evidence presented revealed that these substantial proceeds were never properly accounted for nor deposited into the designated Scotia Bank account as explicitly required by the deceased’s will.

The litigation was initiated by Jasmin Lightburn, the primary beneficiary designated to receive three-quarters of the estate, with the remaining quarter allocated to her late brother’s children. Despite reaching the age of majority in November 2023, Jasmin received no distribution from the estate, prompting legal action.

Justice Mansoor’s judgment highlighted multiple failures: non-compliance with the will’s provisions, complete absence of distributions to rightful beneficiaries, and failure to file mandatory estate accounts as required by the Administration of Estates Act. The court characterized these breaches as particularly serious given Elrington’s professional standing as an attorney.

In consequential rulings, the court ordered Elrington to: distribute all estate funds within 30 days; pay 5% annual interest on the withheld amounts dating back to June 13, 2017; submit full and accurate accounting for all relevant years; and pay $10,000 in legal costs. Significantly, the Registrar was instructed to forward the judgment to both the General Legal Council and the Bar Association for potential disciplinary proceedings.

This case follows Elrington’s recent six-month suspension by the General Legal Council in November 2025 for grave professional misconduct in an unrelated matter, where he failed to file a client’s claim and maintain proper communication, resulting in a $6,000 restitution order.

BELIZE CITY – A violent altercation outside a local nightclub in the early hours of Friday, January 16th, 2026, resulted in a significant police operation that led to four arrests and the removal of two illegal firearms from circulation. The incident occurred approximately at 3:00 AM along Newton Barracks, prompting immediate tactical deployment when officers detected active gunfire in the vicinity.

According to Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith, the swift law enforcement response culminated in the detention of four individuals: Guadalupe Escalante (28), Kenyan Mascal (19), Norman Grant (20), and Sherry Card (31). Two vehicles connected to the shooting were intercepted during the investigation—a red Kia Soul and a black Ford Escort.

Forensic searches yielded substantial evidence: a .38 caliber revolver with five expended shells and 24 live rounds recovered from the first vehicle, alongside a 9mm Taurus pistol with a magazine containing four live rounds discovered in the second vehicle.

Charges have been formally filed against all suspects. Escalante and Mascal face joint charges for possessing unlicensed firearms and ammunition, plus separate counts for discharging weapons in public. Grant and Card similarly face joint charges for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

ASP Smith revealed that preliminary investigations indicate the shooting originated from a dispute at a nearby business establishment. The police operation benefited from coordinated intelligence gathering, including footage analysis from the Police Control Room and Fusion Center, followed by covert surveillance operations that enabled successful vehicle interceptions.

The Belize City Police Department emphasized this operation demonstrates their continued vigilance against illegal firearms and commitment to public safety, particularly in nightlife districts where such incidents pose significant community risks.

BELIZE CITY – A violent ambush on Euphrates Avenue has left a 25-year-old man hospitalized and local authorities searching for answers. The incident occurred on the evening of Friday, January 16th, 2026, when Justin Gentle was targeted by two masked assailants while walking through the area.

According to Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith, officers on patrol were first alerted to the crime by the sound of gunfire at approximately 8:30 PM. Shortly thereafter, the victim himself arrived at Precinct One police station seeking medical assistance after sustaining gunshot wounds.

The investigation reveals that two unidentified males wearing hoodies and face coverings opened fire on Gentle, striking him multiple times before fleeing the scene. Police have collected substantial surveillance footage from the area which has provided investigators with actionable intelligence regarding the perpetrators and their escape.

Following emergency treatment at the scene, Gentle was transported to Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where he remains in stable condition. The extent of his cooperation with investigators remains unclear at this time, according to official statements.

This shooting marks another concerning incident in a series of recent criminal activities that have troubled Belize City residents, coming on the heels of another reported case where a suspect escaped custody after robbing tourists.

A domestic altercation in Belize City escalated into a violent assault in the early hours of Sunday, January 19, 2026, leaving one woman critically injured and another in police custody. The incident occurred at a residence on Central American Boulevard shortly after midnight.

According to official reports from the Belize Police Department, authorities were notified of a stabbing incident through emergency channels. Upon arrival, officers discovered 36-year-old Samira Gentle unconscious and suffering from multiple severe chop and stab wounds. Emergency medical services promptly transported her to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where she remains in critical condition.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith, serving as Staff Officer, provided details of the ongoing investigation. “Scenes of crime technicians have processed the location and retrieved items of evidential value,” Smith stated. “Our preliminary investigation indicates that Gentle was at the residence when a verbal dispute escalated into physical confrontation, resulting in her injuries.”

Police have detained a person of interest described as the victim’s former partner. The suspect, reportedly intoxicated at the time of arrest, has not yet been formally charged due to her inability to cooperate with investigators. ASP Smith confirmed that charges would be considered once the individual becomes coherent enough to provide a statement.

The case continues to develop as investigators work to reconstruct the events leading to the violent outbreak. This incident marks another serious case of domestic violence in the region, highlighting concerns about alcohol-fueled conflicts turning lethal.

A weekend shooting incident in Dangriga has left community members alarmed after an innocent fisherman became the unintended victim of targeted gun violence in a public space. The brazen attack occurred on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at approximately 6:15 PM near the bustling fish shed along Riverside Street—a location regularly frequented by local residents and workers.

According to official police statements provided by ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer, thirty-four-year-old Berchel Balthazar, a Belizean fisherman from the Wagierale area, sustained gunshot wounds during the incident. Preliminary investigations indicate that two unidentified males aboard a motorcycle arrived at the location and discharged multiple rounds toward the area before swiftly fleeing the scene.

Law enforcement authorities have confirmed that Mr. Balthazar, who was promptly transported to Southern Regional Hospital for treatment, was not the intended target of the shooting. Investigators have collected substantial surveillance footage from the vicinity and are currently analyzing this evidence to advance their investigation and identify the perpetrators.

The incident has heightened existing concerns about the potential spillover of gang-related violence into public commercial areas, threatening the safety of ordinary citizens going about their daily activities. Police continue to pursue active leads while the community remains on alert following this disturbing violation of public security.

Belizean law enforcement officials are addressing public scrutiny following a controversial airport security incident at Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) over the weekend. Security personnel detained an American businessman on Saturday after scanners identified a concealed firearm within his luggage during standard screening procedures.

According to Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith, Staff Officer, the individual immediately claimed unawareness of the weapon’s presence, characterizing the violation as an inadvertent oversight. Following the detection, authorities placed the traveler in temporary detention and initiated an extensive background investigation through Interpol channels. Subsequent communications with U.S. Embassy officials confirmed the businessman had no criminal record or status as a person of interest in ongoing investigations.

ASP Smith defended the decision to release the individual and confiscate the firearm as a legitimate exercise of police discretion. She emphasized the plausibility of the traveler’s account, noting that arriving via private flight approximately one day prior to conduct business operations supported his claim of unintentional violation. The businessman received formal caution and reprimand before being permitted to depart.

The incident has sparked legal debate regarding police authority in firearms cases, particularly concerning provisions that mandate Supreme Court bail for such offenses. Police maintain that discretionary powers have been routinely exercised in appropriate circumstances, though this application to firearms violations represents a notable precedent.

Orange Walk Police have apprehended and formally charged 24-year-old local laborer Darnell Valentine with possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute following a late-night incident on Progress Street. The arrest occurred in the early hours of January 17, 2026, when patrolling officers witnessed Valentine allegedly discarding a suspicious package as they approached. Law enforcement officials subsequently recovered the bag, which contained four separate packets of a substance believed to be cocaine with a total weight of 2.2 grams. Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith, Staff Officer for Orange Walk Police, provided official details of the case, confirming that Valentine, a resident of Half Moon Caye Street in Orange Walk Town, now faces serious drug trafficking charges. The incident highlights ongoing law enforcement efforts to combat drug distribution networks in the region, particularly during nighttime operations when such activities frequently occur. The suspect remains in custody as judicial proceedings commence.