The last time the Belize Defence Force came under major scrutiny from the public and the press, it was about stolen M-16's and 9 millimeter pistols. But this time the force is making headlines, not for stolen guns and ammunitions, but stolen food supplies that feed an estimated One Thousand of its soldiers. And, where were the thousands of dollars of food items ending up? Monica Bodden has the story on why it's possible you might have just purchased recycled military food items at your neighborhood grocer.
The Belize Defence Force ration store - which house's food supply for soldiers countrywide has been robbed. The accused culprits - 3 BDF soldiers.
According to Chief of Staff - Lieutenant Colonel Ganney Dortch, between the 11th and 12 of this month - while doing routine checks, they found out there were a number of items missing from their ration store -which is located the Price Barracks in Ladyville. Immediately after - several investigations were launched which lead them to what might have transpired.
Lieutenant Colonel Ganney Dortch - Chief of Staff, BDF
"To date we have 3 personnel in custody one of which will be charge criminally by the police and the other will be charge by the BDF for failing to adhere to standing orders and also the other person that we are presently holding and we are still continuing our investigation to see who else might have colluded with these individuals. We are still holding this third person as we believe that this person can farther help or assist with our investigations so that we could find out exactly where these rations could be."
The total retail value of the missing ration amounts to 10 thousand - 200 hundred and 90 dollars. According to Dortch, a small portion of the amount was recovered.
Lieutenant Colonel Ganney Dortch
"To date we have recovered just over $690.00 retail value. It was basic food items, we are looking at rice, some can stuff, macaroni and some other bits and pieces like mackerel etc."
Monica Bodden
"Now, we also heard that these items were sold out of the camp to different store owners countrywide."
Lieutenant Colonel Ganney Dortch
"Well I wouldn't want to say countrywide but we have leads, we know where some of the items are but not to jeopardise our investigation we just want to say yes we do know that they were purchase. It's a shame to see our soldiers would go to this level to see how they could acquire financial gain or whatever."
Dortch says several other soldiers will be charged internally for failing to adhere to standing orders and procedures.
Lieutenant Colonel Ganney Dortch
"For those that we found in breach in these standing orders will also be charge internally, so it's not only the culprit or the personnel who are involve in the theft but also the persons who are working that night or that day will be charge for not adhering to the standing orders."
The theft is being investigated jointly by the BDF and Police force.
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