U.S. Donates $1.2 Million of Equipment to the Coastguard and the B.D.F.

About one point two million dollars in equipment was handed over today to the Belize Coast Guard and the Belize Defence Force by the U.S. government. The Coast Guard received equipment to be used to fight illicit activity relating to narcotics. The B.D.F. received similar equipment and a secondary entry control point.  The upgraded control point to the B.D.F. base at Price Barracks is a partnership between the Light Engineer Company of the Belize Defense Force and the Anti-terrorism/Force Protection Section of U.S. Southern Command, which provided thirty-six thousand dollars funding for material and equipment. The donation will enhance the readiness of both agencies to keep previously donated equipment upgraded, updated and effectively functional, and to enhance capabilities in the fight to counter the activities of transnational criminal organizations. On hand were the U.S. Embassy’s Senior Defense Official Lieutenant/Defense Attaché Colonel Eldridge Singleton, Belize Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Johnny Borland, and Deputy Commander Belize Defense Force Colonel Azariel Loria.