More on B.D.F.’s Fatal Helicopter Crash from the Ministry of National Security

As we reported tonight, the deaths of four offices comes directly on the heel of the seizure of two tons of cocaine.  As we showed you on Thursday, the Belize Police Department proudly spoke on the success of the operation. At today’s media briefing, the C.E.O. in the Ministry of National Security says that they met to discuss the events of Thursday but that positive outcome was met with tragedy today. Both the C.E.O. and the Minister shared that the B.D.F.’s air wing team was professional in their duties and took the matter of national security seriously.

Felix Enriquez

Felix Enriquez, C.E.O., Ministry of National Security

“Yesterday we met as a group to discuss the events that had taken place because we had recently approved some changes on the strategic and operational level, that we thought would be and which indeed turned out to be more effective in our counter narcotics efforts. But little did we know that amidst this success was this most dreadful tragedy. Our pilots are very stringent about when they fly in terms of safety of the aircraft. They have been ordered not to fly unless they are absolutely sure of the conditions and they could operate in those conditions and they would not have left unless they felt confident that they were in such a position.”

Michael Peyrefitte

Michael Peyrefitte, Minister of National Security

“It is not unusual for them to not report in constantly on their location but unless there is an issue. In the past, they have either landed at the site and waited the with the assistance or they would hover around for a couple hours and come back to base. In this case, we assumed that they were on the site, because it is not unusual for them to be on the site but they would usually be back by about four-thirty in the evening or before it gets dark depending on the terrain. In this case, that is when we became concerned when they didn’t return at night time.”

Reporter

“Is it a break down in the chain of command in so far as a highly valuable asset and much more irreplaceable, the life of four officers, soldiers, is unaccounted for, for a day and no one notices or in constant communication to say who has the valuable asset and invaluable the lives of those on board?”

Michael Peyrefitte

“It is a legitimate question, but like I said it wasn’t unusual for them to not report in if there wasn’t an issue. At the same time, though, that is all a part of the investigation.”