B.D.F. Clarifies that Object Found on Maya Island Air was not an IED
The Belize Defense Force has walked back its preliminary finding that the device retrieved from a Maya Island Air flight which arrived in Belize City from San Pedro on September twenty-sixth was an improvised explosive device. The discovery of what has since turned out to be a cold flare, initially left many confused about what the object actually is, however, further assessment led the B.D.F. to conclude that it nothing more than consumer pyrotechnics. This morning in Belmopan, Lieutenant Colonel Brandon Garcia spoke with reporters about the device. Garcia, we note, is not a bomb expert and was simply assigned the responsibility of liaising with the media.
Brandon Garcia
Lt. Col. Brandon Garcia, CO, Service & Support, B.D.F.
“An initial report was produced and an initial assessment was also done on the device. For some reason that report was leaked to the public which subsequently caused some confusion and some panic. We concluded that the device found on the aircraft was nothing more of a consumer pyrotechnic or a low-hazard device which is similar to a firecracker or a sparkler, so to speak.”
Reporter
“Okay, so that is a conclusion that you all reached upon review, because the initial report concluded that it was an IED, an improvised explosive device that was or could be lethal.”
Brandon Garcia
“Yes, that was the final conclusion after the device was thoroughly examined.”
Reporter
“So the interim conclusion or the conclusion that it was an IED was an interim conclusion?”
Brandon Garcia
“The conclusion that it was an IEF was preliminary. It wasn’t fully examined to basically deduce that it was an IED.”
Reporter
“So do you all regret that it was leaked?”
Brandon Garcia
“Well yes, majority of the time when we respond to these threats, we have both the civilian populace and also the members, our bomb techs, bomb technicians in mind. We need to ensure that they are safe and we need to ensure that majority of the information gathered from these devices are kept tight-lid because we don’t want confusion and panic to ensue.”
