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Explosive Expert Says Seismic Device Could Dangerous
posted (September 4, 2017)
We also asked General Jones - who is an explosives expert - to comment on a disturbing discovery that police made. On Saturday the Special Assignment Team found what is called a "detonator type explosive," along with a 6-volt battery and 2 sets of 15-foot electrical wires in the area of Vernon Street.

Today Jones said this is a seismic detonator - the type used when doing seismic testing for oil exploration - but it is still very dangerous if used recklessly. Here's how he explained it:

David Jones, Commander of BDF
"It is actually live explosive used primarily for seismic testing. It is a dangerous piece of explosive as well. If anyone was in close proximity if it was detonated it could have caused fatalities. It's actually about 2.2 pounds of explosives inside that canister. That kind of explosive should not be on the streets of Belize City or in any urban area whatsoever. I suspect that someone stole it or there was some negligence in regards to how those came on to the streets of Belize City, but indications are that there are probably more on the streets of Belize City those things need to come the street and an investigation needs to be done as to who is responsible for conduction Seismic testing in Belize, if they are still doing it - what are these procedures to use them and to account for them, because that being said shows that there is some form of negligence in accountability."

"The charge is complete, is intact there is a battery that is used as the power source that is a detonator that initiates that explosives. All that was missing were the detonator which is the last thing that you would have before you set that particular explosion off."

"The blast for a device such as that you would create injuries up to 200 meters. If you are within 10 - 15 meters there could be fatalities."

"Well you can find information on these things on the internet or google and they can also get information from the person who was working with the company who was conducting the seismic testing. So it's easy for them to find the information. It is easy for someone who wants to do something malicious to ask somebody who works with it gain the knowledge and use it for the wrong purposes."

"Well we will destroy them. If the police don't have any evidence as to who has these things we will destroy them, because they will try to get some forensic evidence from it because it is plastic. If they have a case we will keep it if they have a case. If they don't have a case as soon as they inform the BDF we will just destroy it."

Jones said the police should be investigating the possibility that there are more explosives in the city.

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