Swiss Cannabis Accused Faces Permit Charge

Christian Reis

Forty-two-year-old Swiss national Christian Reis is in trouble with the law.  On Monday, he appeared before Chief Magistrate Sharon Fraser and was fined one hundred and fifty dollars for the possession of one point four grams of cannabis.  The court ordered Reis to pay the fine forthwith or face one month behind bars.  Today, he was back in court for another offence for failing to comply with the condition of his visitor’s permit.  Again, he took a guilty plea and Chief Magistrate Fraser imposed a hefty fine of one thousand dollars or six months imprison if he does not meet the fine. The Chief Magistrate also told him that he is to be deported to Switzerland either after he has paid the fine, or served the time. Reis had until May twelfth to remain in Belize and since then have been illegal here because he did not renew his permit.