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BDF, Defense Ministry Not Investigating Missing Uniforms, Or Major’s Connection
posted (July 12, 2017)

The BDF is not conducting an investigation into the case of close to 100 uniforms and other discarded equipment which were found at civilian Sarco Torres’s home in Orange Walk.  The BDF Commander David Jones did not reply to our request for a comment, and Defense Minister John Saldivar referred us to his CEO - who said they are waiting on the police investigation.  But, according to our sources, the BDF is classing it as a case of improper disposal of items that had been written off.  The BDF sees that as a matter strictly for the Ministry of Finance - where the Financial Secretary Joe Waight has confirmed that there was a “serious breachâ€￾ in procedure.  

But that’s far from the end of the story because the text messages on Sarco Torres’s phone show that he was communicating with two persons: Beris Codd, a senior officer at the Ministry of Finance, and BDF Major Jermaine Burns - who is the airwing commander.  Police found the text messages when they detained Torres.  They show Major Burns discussing BDF deployments in specific areas.  Two days ago, we called Burns - on the same number we saw in the text messages - to ask him for comment:..

Jules Vasquez
"Hi Major Jermaine Burns."

Major Jermaine Burns - BDF Air-wing Commander
"Yes."

Jules Vasquez
"This is Jules Vasquez from Channel 7 News."

Major Jermaine Burns
"Aha."

Jules Vasquez
"Sir I'm trying to phone you regarding this thing with the BDF uniforms and spares and written off spares."

Major Jermaine Burns
"You need to call the general."

Jules Vasquez
"I am calling you personally because I saw a text message where you and Torres were in communication."

Major Jermaine Burns
"You still need to call the general, we are privy to talk to the media. If they give me permission to talk to the media then I will talk to the media."

Jules Vasquez
"Okay I will call the general then, appreciate it major thank you sir."

He directed us to General Jones who we contacted on that same day and he told us, quote, “I have had no report of Mr. Torres communicating with Major Burns.â€￾ end quote.

The case is also being watched by the US Embassy since they donated a number of outboard engines to the BDF - and outboard engines - which had been written off - were included in the stash found at Sarco Torres’s house in Orange Walk.  Torres was contracted by the Ministry of Finance to dispose of and destroy the items written off by the BDF.

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