Exhibit Keeper Faces New Charge of Willful Oppression in Cannabis Candy Case

Mario Bustillos, the Belize Police Department Exhibit Keeper who made headlines in April 2023 for improperly disposing of cannabis-infused candies that ended up hospitalizing several schoolchildren, is now facing a new charge of Willful Oppression. The previous charges of negligent harm against Bustillos were dropped, but prosecutors have filed this new charge alleging he acted beyond his authority in the disposal of the cannabis candies.

The incident occurred on April 21, 2023, when Bustillos disposed of the cannabis-infused candies in a manner that allowed them to fall into the hands of unsuspecting children. Fourteen students consumed the candies, with several requiring hospitalization. The case sparked widespread concern and outrage among parents, health officials, and the general public.

Bustillos was initially arrested and charged with ten counts of negligent harm related to the children's injuries. However, those charges have since been withdrawn by prosecutors. The new charge of Willful Oppression asserts that Bustillos overstepped his authority in how he handled the disposal of the cannabis exhibits, directly leading to the public harm that followed.

The case against Bustillos has faced delays due to issues with accessing key evidence contained on malfunctioning CDs. His attorney has struggled to obtain the necessary disclosures to proceed with the Preliminary Inquiry (PI). As a result, the Senior Magistrate has adjourned the PI until May 3, 2024, pending confirmation that the CDs are functioning properly.

Since the filing of the new Willful Oppression charge, Bustillos has been placed on interdiction from his duties as Exhibit Keeper. He has received over 140 pages of disclosures, along with photographs and CDs related to the case against him. Prior to the new charge, Bustillos had been granted permission to travel to Chetumal, Mexico in August 2023 for a family vacation. It was upon his return that the negligent harm charges were dropped and replaced with the Willful Oppression charge.

The case continues to unfold as prosecutors build their argument that Bustillos' actions in improperly disposing of the cannabis candies constituted an abuse of his authority as Exhibit Keeper, directly causing harm to the children who unknowingly consumed them. With the PI now scheduled for May 2024, the courts will have the opportunity to review the evidence and determine if the charge of Willful Oppression against Bustillos will proceed to trial.

Key Takeaways

• Belize police exhibit keeper Mario Bustillos faces new charge of Willful Oppression
• Bustillos improperly disposed of cannabis-infused candies, hospitalizing 14 students in 2023
• Previous negligent harm charges dropped, new charge alleges abuse of authority
• Preliminary Inquiry adjourned to May 2024 due to issues accessing key evidence
• Bustillos placed on interdiction, prosecutors build case for Willful Oppression charge