Mexican national held on serious drug trafficking charges gets bail

Zurisaday Mendez

Mexican national, Zurisaday Mendez, who was busted back in October 2012 allegedly with firearms, ammunitions and drugs, was granted Supreme Court bail in the sum of seventy-five thousand dollars. His bail hearing took place before Justice Troadio John Gonzalez last Friday. The office of the Director of Public Prosecution objected to bail arguing that Mendez is a flight risk but his new attorney, Ellis Arnold, was able to secure bail.  Justice Gonzalez, however, ordered him to surrender his travelling documents including his passport and to return back to court on February eighteenth, 2014. While he was granted bail, Mendez remained in custody until today when he was able to make bail. The case was initially heard in the Corozal Magistrate’s Court, but due to security reason, it was transferred to Belize City. Back in October  2012, Mendez was charged for four criminal offenses, including two counts of gun possession, one count of kept ammunitions and one count of drug trafficking, all of which he had pleaded not guilty to.  The bust took place at the Las Vega Hotel in the Corozal Free Zone.  Mendez has also filed a constitutional motion in the Supreme Court. His attorney is arguing that Mendez’s constitutional rights have been violated since he has been on remand at the Belize Central Prison for the past sixteen months. That decision is pending.