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Another high power assault rifle has been stolen from the Belize Defense Force. But it wasn’t taken form the armoury. According to the official report it was stolen from a BDF Private who was sleeping in a private car when he should have been on foot patrol in a city neighbourhood! It is a massive embarrassment for the security forces because it demonstrates gross indiscipline and dereliction of duty and more worryingly that negligence has now left another deadly weapon on the streets in the hands of criminals. The gun is an M-16 rifle along with a full magazine of 30 rounds of 5.56 milimeter ammunition and it was stolen early Saturday morning. The soldier was assigned along with a policeman and another BDF to conduct foot patrols in the Rocky Road-West Canal area. It is a hotspot and should be under 24 hour surveillance but early on Saturday morning it wasn’t. Keith Swift found out more.

Keith Swift Reporting,
The loaded M16 was stolen from a BDF Private assigned to patrol this canal side. The army says that instead of patrolling the area, two of their soldiers and a police officer were sleeping with their loaded guns in a parked car.

Major Alvin Amoa, Adjutant – Belize Defense Force
“They were at the beat in a police private vehicle and they fell asleep and when he awoke sometime after 4 he discovered that weapon was stolen out of the vehicle. From the first appearance that we have seen from the two soldiers and the police, they did not seem intoxicated but at this present moment what we have done, the same Saturday morning, we did an alcohol and drug testing for both soldiers and we should be receiving the results sometime this afternoon or early next morning.”

The BDP and Police have been scouring abandoned lots and homes in the area for the M16 but that has been in vain.

Major Alvin Amoa,
“The attempts so far is being done by the police and we are still working very closely with the police officers in order to find out who or which person or persons took the weapon from the area. All that I can say right now is the police investigation is still ongoing.”

Grace Flowers who lives in the area doesn’t buy that story.

Grace Flowers, Area Resident
“I came home 12 o’clock because my mom spent the whole night at the hospital and no police was here when I left. I left from home like minutes to one, no police was still out here. I came back home like 2:30, the car was parked out there with the windows down and no police or BDF was in the car. I went out and came back like 5:30, the car was out there and no BDF or police was in there. So I don’t know how they could say they were sleeping in the car and the gun lost. They know where the gun lost, right where they were drinking with their company.”

The soldiers could face a military trial and spend time in jail.

Major Alvin Amoa,
“The soldiers could face several disciplinary actions. If they are tried summarily, they could be given 28 days detention and discharge with disgrace or if the case goes to a court marshall then they could be facing up to two years in prison at the Kolbe Foundation. We are not taking this lightly at all and the full extent of all of the law will be used in order to prosecute the soldiers involved.”

Of course that is a little too late because a loaded M16 is now on the street.

Major Alvin Amoa,
“The BDF do not want to weapons like that on the street and we would like to get it off as soon as possible. So we encourage the public to give us a call about information in reference to the M16.”

Keith Swift,
“But you understand why the public might be sceptical in the sense that the army is here to guard our borders but you guys can’t even guard your own guns.”

Major Alvin Amoa,
“Well I would not say the army. It is just single isolated with the soldier and he has accepted the responsibility that it was his negligence. As we all know you can put a lot of measures in place but it is up to the single individual to ensure that they follow the security measures. Even though we had supervisors out on the ground they cannot be there 24-7 to actually stand over that shoulder to ensure that they are carrying out the duties.”

The blood alcohol test to determine if they were intoxicated is pending. The two BDF Privates, one of whom is a recent recruit and the other a private with three years experience, are tonight both in lock down by military police at Price Barracks. They are jointly facing a charge of disobedience to standing orders. We should note that while only one of the officers lost his gun, they will both be charged. Again, they can face a court marshal which could result in up to 2 years in jail. They will also have to pay for the gun valued at roughly $2,000.

An M4 Carbine, a smaller version of the M16, was stolen from the BDF in January. It was recovered last week when police raided Gary Seawell’s jungle hideout in Esperanza Village.