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We do know that seven BDF personnel were detained, statements were collected from them and they were released. But, how such a colossal lack of vigilance could have occurred is a question that still has us shaking our heads tonight. Jules Vasquez went back over the details given to the media at a press conference yesterday evening - to see in just how many breakdowns there were:...

Jules Vasquez Reporting
The is one of the staples that was very precisely and cleanly cut off - the other was cut in the same way - both taken off most likely with a hacksaw.

Weapons are stored in all five rooms - and each compartment has its own metal door.

The bulk weapons store building has five doors - the first and third were breeched and the thieves helped themselves to a trove of weapons:

Allen Whylie - CEO, Ministry of Defense
"The weapons were kept in those rooms and they were under lock and key with a chain and the chain was also cut and the weapons were removed."

Lt. Col. Javier Castellanos - 2nd In Charge of BDF
"Our initial investigations have reveal that a total of 22 x M-16 A1 Rifles which are unserviceable, 2 x M-4 Commando Rifles also unserviceable, 11 x 9mm Beretta Pistols which are serviceable and 7x 4 M-4 Carbine Rifles which are serviceable and they are reported missing from the weapons bulk store which gives a total of 42 weapons missing being 31 of them rifles and 11 pistols. Of these 7 of the rifles are serviceable and 11 pistols are serviceable. This weapon bulk store s used mostly to store unserviceable weapons and in this case weapons which are not issued to the regular units or which are about to be issued, they are secured there prior to be issued to the particular unit."

All that hardware in a building located 10 feet from an ungaurded gate - which is usually closed - but one which does not have any barbed wire - and is not guarded around the clock - although - almost to mock their own ineptitude, soldiers were diligently guarding the breeched door yesterday - talk about closing the stable door after the horses have bolted!

Lt. Col. Javier Castellanos - 2nd In Charge of BDF
"The facility lies within one of the sectors which are patrolled. A 24 hour vigilance within the sector but not exactly 24 hours to the facility itself."

Allen Whylie - CEO, Ministry of Defense
"Of course on the ground security measures have now been implemented to step up to ensure that it does not re-occur. It has already occurred - we are trying to now ensure that there is no reoccurrence and measures have been put in place. 24 hours physical security is now implemented at the facility. That will remain in place until."

And while the gate is right there - there's also a hole in the fence - though no one knows for sure how the burglars got in.

Allen Whylie - CEO, Ministry of Defense
"There is a hole at the back of the fence, I don't know if that occurred as a result of the persons gaining entry but those things have been improved."

And they also can't say when they got in - below the mic you can hear them mumbling to each other if anyone has the date:

Lt. Col. Javier Castellanos - 2nd In Charge of BDF
"As we have mentioned earlier that a weekly check is conducted."

So who has the guns and where are they?

Allen Whylie - CEO, Ministry of Defense
"We don't know who stole them. We don't know what the purpose of stealing them is. We don't know if the cartel people are involved. We don't know at this stage. Hopefully the investigation will lead toward some direction in terms of why they were stolen and those sorts of things."

And so who is to answer for this unforgiveable breach of security - well the BDF just threw up their hands, as in these things happen, no money noh deh:

Lt. Col. Javier Castellanos - 2nd In Charge of BDF
"There are areas in this camp which have been breached before. Civilians entered. It's difficult to keep them out. We have the swamps - the marshes to the back, we have the fences which deteriorate over the years - it's an expensive venture. It is difficult to patrol and secure the perimeter of the fence."

So there it is, the army can't guard their own guns - but still no blame has been assessed

Allen Whylie - CEO, Ministry of Defense
"It is a serious breach that has occurred because this is a military facility and such should not have occurred."

To recap, Twenty four of the weapons were not in working condition, while 18 were brand new. Again, as we note din the story, no one could say with certainty when last the store-room was checked, but reliable information to 7news is that it was most recently checked on Monday, the 10th. October. Previous to that, it had not been checked from the 29 September, which would be a lapse of more than a week, - 11 days actually.