Traveling To Belize With A Drug Felony: What You Need To Know

If you have a drug felony and are considering international travel, it is important to know that entry requirements vary across countries. Some countries may require a visa, while others allow visa-free entry for short-term visits. Your ability to travel internationally will also depend on whether you can obtain a passport, as those convicted of drug-related felonies who crossed the U.S. border while committing the crime may be subject to federal arrest or restricted from leaving the country. Additionally, each country has its own regulations regarding the entry of individuals with criminal records. For instance, Canada has strict policies and denies entry to any felons, while European countries in the Schengen Area generally allow entry for convictions involving less than three years in prison, excluding certain types of crimes. It is recommended to check official sources and embassy websites for specific entry and visa requirements before making travel plans.

Travel requirements to enter Belize

If you are a US citizen with a felony record, you may be able to travel to Belize, but you will need to have a passport. Those with a drug-related felony who crossed the US border while committing the crime, are subject to federal arrest, or are restricted from leaving the US as part of their sentence or probation cannot obtain a passport.

Felons who have an outstanding warrant, are considered a flight risk, or are viewed as a danger to themselves or others in any country to which they may be travelling also cannot get a passport.

If you are entering Belize, you will need to have a passport that is valid for the length of your stay, proof of an onward or return ticket, and sufficient funds to cover the cost of the length of your stay. Visitors to Belize must have a passport that is valid for at least 30 days after their arrival, and proof of intent to depart the country. If you are visiting as a tourist, you do not require a visa. However, visitors planning to stay more than 30 days must have their passport re-stamped by a local immigration office and pay an additional fee for every additional month they wish to stay, up to six months. For visits longer than six months, you may need to provide further documentation to the local immigration office explaining the reason for a longer stay, and you may need to pay additional fees.

If you are travelling with children, you may be asked by immigration officials to show birth certificates for each child. When children are not travelling with both parents, immigration officials often request documentation to establish that the children have permission from both parents to travel. Documentation may include notarized letters from the parent(s), custody decree, adoption papers, or death certificates in situations where one or both parents are deceased.

Please note that Belize is rated high for crime and has one of the highest per capita murder rates in the world. Visitors should exercise caution throughout Belize, particularly in the south side of Belize City and remote areas along Belize’s borders due to high crime.

Belize's stance on drug offences

Belize has traditionally taken a zero-tolerance approach towards the cultivation, sale, possession, and consumption of all recreational drugs. However, in recent years, the country has made some moves towards drug law reform.

In 2012, the Belizean government released a press statement announcing the formation of a committee to evaluate a proposal to decriminalise the possession of small amounts of marijuana. The Decriminalization of Marijuana Committee (DOMC) was chaired by Douglas Singh, the former Minister of Police, and in 2015, they produced a report recommending that possession of up to 10 grams of marijuana should not be a criminal offence.

In November 2017, the Belizean Senate passed legislation decriminalising 10 grams or less of marijuana, and Governor General Sir Colville Young assented to the bill. This amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act also provides for monetary and non-recordable penalties for possession on school premises and, in certain circumstances, allows smoking on private premises.

Despite these reforms, drug consumption remains outlawed in Belize, and offences relating to opium, cocaine, heroin, or cannabis can be punishable by 2 years in prison, a BZD$75,000 (USD$36,600) fine, or both. The criminal status of cannabis is difficult to enforce in Belize due to inadequate law enforcement resources, the availability of refugee labourers who work on cannabis plantations, and the large areas of unpopulated land.

Belize is a party to several international conventions on drug control, including the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961 and the United Nations Conventions against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988. The country also receives funding and aid from the United States for anti-narcotic measures, although there is some tension surrounding the strict anti-narcotic goals that the US has for Belize.

In terms of entry requirements for Belize, a passport is required with at least three valid months remaining on it, and visitors must provide evidence of sufficient funds for their stay and a return ticket. US citizens can stay in the country for less than 30 days without a visa, but any longer stay will require an application to the Immigration Department. It is recommended that felons keep their stay under 30 days to avoid their criminal record being checked.

Drug trafficking in Belize

Belize is a small country in Central America, with a population of 342,092, that shares a northern border with Mexico and a western border with Guatemala. It is a popular tourist destination for US citizens, who are drawn to its green rainforests, long barrier reef, tropical weather, and beaches.

Belize has become a key transit point for drug trafficking, particularly cocaine, to the US and Mexico. The country's location, open borders, free trade agreements, and large unpopulated areas make it an ideal transshipment point. Mexican cartels control the flow of heroin and cocaine through the country, and hire local Belizeans to smuggle the drugs into Mexico and the US. Belize has also become a transit point for the precursors used in synthetic drug production.

Belize has a history of drug production and sale, with marijuana cultivation beginning in the 1960s as a response to declining sugar prices. Sugar cane growers turned to marijuana production, and it became a lucrative business. Belize's economy has struggled since the 2008 recession, and this has led to a revival of the marijuana production boom.

Belize has followed the US's lead in adopting a hardline, militarised approach to tackling the drug problem. The US has provided financial aid and training to strengthen Belize's military and police force. However, this approach has been criticised as ineffective, and it has been suggested that Belize should instead focus on obtaining more financial support from the US, UK, and Canada to fund social and economic development programs, or even consider drug legalisation.

In terms of entering Belize with a drug felony, there is no standard for restrictions on felons wishing to visit a foreign country. Each country has its own rules and it is important to check the government website of the country in question. In the case of Belize, a passport with at least three months' validity is required, along with evidence of sufficient funds and a return ticket. For stays of less than 30 days, no visa is required. For longer stays, an application to the Immigration Department is necessary. It is recommended that felons keep their stay under 30 days to avoid a criminal record check.

Drug consumption in Belize

The consumption of drugs in Belize has been a topic of debate and discussion in recent years, with the country traditionally taking a zero-tolerance approach towards all recreational illicit substances. However, there have been some recent developments and shifts in drug policy, particularly regarding marijuana. Here is an overview of the drug consumption landscape in Belize:

Drug Consumption Laws in Belize:

Belize has historically maintained a hard-line stance on drug consumption, with any activities associated with narcotic drugs outlawed by the Misuse of Drugs Act of 1990. This Act categorises illicit drugs into three classes (A, B, and C) and imposes strict penalties for possession and consumption. Offences relating to opium, cocaine, heroin, or cannabis can result in up to 2 years in prison, a fine of up to BZD$75,000 (USD$36,600), or both. The Act also sets thresholds for possession quantities, and individuals found with certain amounts are deemed complicit in drug trafficking.

Marijuana Decriminalisation:

In recent years, there has been a push for drug law reform in Belize, particularly regarding marijuana. In 2012, the Belizean government appointed the Decriminalization of Marijuana Committee (DOMC) to evaluate proposals to decriminalise marijuana possession. In 2015, the DOMC released its final report, recommending that possession of up to 10 grams of marijuana should not be a criminal offence. This proposal gained bipartisan support, and in November 2017, the Belize Senate passed legislation decriminalising small amounts of marijuana for personal use. The amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act provides for monetary and non-recordable penalties for possession in specific circumstances, such as on school premises, and allows for smoking on private premises without legal repercussions.

Impact on Prison Population:

Belize's prison system is under-equipped and overcrowded, and drug-related offences contribute significantly to the incarceration rate. According to the 1996 Belize Prison Drug Prevalence Survey, 57.9% of the prison population were incarcerated due to some form of involvement with illicit drugs, while 35.6% were arrested for drug possession or trafficking. The decriminalisation of small amounts of marijuana is expected to alleviate some of the strain on the prison system and reduce the number of marginalised individuals with criminal records, improving their chances for meaningful employment and reintegration into society.

International Relations and Drug Trafficking:

Belize's location makes it a key transit route for drug trafficking, particularly cocaine, from South Mexico to the United States. Despite receiving significant funding and assistance from the United States and other countries to combat drug trafficking, Belize's security forces and coastal guards remain under-equipped. The country faces challenges in intercepting unauthorised flights and communications, and drug cartels have contributed to a sharp increase in crime rates, including a doubling of the intentional homicide rate between 2000 and 2011.

Treatment and Rehabilitation Options:

Belize has limited treatment and rehabilitation options for problem drug users. Psychiatric nurse practitioners provide counselling and intervention services, but these are expensive and not widely available. There is a lack of coordination among research agencies and treatment centres, and no national policy or standards for the assessment and treatment of institutionalised individuals. However, there have been recent efforts to establish a drug court and implement a first offenders program to eliminate criminal records for first-time drug offenders.

Drug treatment in Belize

The treatment and rehabilitation options for problem drug users in Belize are limited. Psychiatric nurse practitioners provide counselling and intervention for drug and alcohol abuse, but this service is expensive and has limited availability. There is also a lack of coordination among research agencies and treatment centres.

Belizean law does not have a programme for first-offence drug users, nor is there a national policy or set of standards requiring the assessment and treatment of institutionalised individuals. However, there has been a recent move towards the establishment of a drug court with assistance from the Organization of American States (OAS). This would see youth involved in drug-related crimes sent to rehabilitation centres rather than prisons. There has also been a proposal for a first offenders programme that would eliminate the criminal records of first-offence drug users.

In terms of the availability of medications, you can purchase practically any type of medication in Belize, although it is not cheap. Most brands are North American or European, and recently, some have been sourced from Latin America. Medication in Belize is generally marked up about 25% higher compared to prices in the U.S. However, generic drugs manufactured in Europe, Asia, and Latin America are cheaper. Some pharmaceutical importers in Belize have started sourcing generic medications from England and Spain, which has led to substantial savings.

Basic medications such as antibiotics and pain medication are not taxed, and some medications are provided free of charge at hospital pharmacies, although some hospitals will ask for a nominal fee.

Frequently asked questions