The BDF is known all over the world for its training facilities which are on offer - for a price - to armies interested in jungle training. But, 7News has received information which shows that the Auditor General is investigating a case where a senior officer and his company may have used his inside connection to have his company benefit from a troop of German soldiers training in Belize.
Belize Jungle Experience is a company whose directors are Lieutenant Colonel Charlton Roches along with Margaret Flowers.
The auditor general notes that the German Jungle Training package agreement for 152 thousand dollars was not directly with the German Army, but was channeled through Belize Jungle Experience. The small section of the report we have seen goes on to suggest that Belize Jungle Experience was the main contracting party.
Belize Jungle Experience is a company set up for Land Development, Management and Sales. Also, we found out that it hasn't updated its filing at the companies register since the year it was formed in 2012 - yet it was doing business in 2015 and 2016 for, with and on behalf of the BDF.
The BDF was training 35 soldiers for 3 weeks - and as we understand it this company, Belize Jungle Experience was contracted to provide logistical support. The question arises as to whether it was an arm's length transaction since a senior officer is one of the two directors.
We reached the CEO of the Defense Ministry for comment this evening and he told us, quote, "we requested the audit because of our own suspicions. We are aware and we are taking corrective action. We will keep following up." End quote.
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