So they are on remand - and police were swift to press charges because of the alarming stash they found in Patten's home. Here's a rundown of what all they found:
This chilling arsenal of weapons, ammunition and police uniforms were found at the home of police constable Stephanie Patten in a police raid at 5:40 on Tuesday morning.
She was in the home with three men, namely 24 year old Joshua Brandon Hall from Corozal, 22 year old Alden Lara, from Belize City and 21-year-old, Mexican laborer of Quintana-Roo, Misael Contreras Barela,.
As they got inside the home police found two bags with loaded with 200 rounds of 9 millimeter, 40 calibre,.22 and 5.56 ammunition along with magazines and a 9 millimeter pistol.
When they searched Patten's room they found 13 more rounds of 9 millimeter ammunition.
When they searched the other room where the other three men were they found one Black Glock 22.40 caliber pistol with an extended magazine containing twenty-one (21) live rounds - which is strictly prohibited and
There was also another extended magazine lying around, this one was stuffed with twenty-seven live rounds.
And there was also this assault rifle, 1) M-4 carbine rifle 2with with a magazine containing twenty-five (25) live rounds.
And when police searched a third bedroom, they found three bulletproof vests and a number of GSU uniforms - the type that has been discontinued.
All of the weapons were unlicensed and all four persons were detained.
And these aren't just random weapons for protection or street crime; these are designed for armed assault.
For example this one has a switch which converts the weapon to full auto with a push of a button. It's a dangerous modification that's illegal in Belize and the US.
And this extended clip is also prohibited - because it defies the norms of any recreational or security use - it's a high powered accessory for cops and killers.
Indeed, the entire array of weaponry and accessories has all appearances of a very well equipped criminal enterprise - but could it be one with narco links?:
Cherisse Halsall:
"Is this to your mind any further indication that police officers may be involved with cartels?"
Chester Williams, Commissioner
"We have never ruled that out, um. We have never ruled that out, we always see that as a possibility."
And now, in view of this assortment of illegal weaponry it appears a likelihood that some organized crime is involved - and for PC Patten - who was caught previously in a vehicle with 20 bricks of weed but got off - the COMPOL doesn't see her getting off this time:
Chester Williams, Commissioner
"The items are found in her home. I don't see if someone goes and pleas guilty how she can get off. So I do not see that, no."
As we told you - one of the accused did step forward to take responsibility for the stash today - but his submission was not registered.
The foursome has been charged for Illicit Trafficking of firearms, two counts of Kept Prohibited Ammunition, two counts of Kept Ammunition without a license, Possession of unregistered bullet proof vests and Possession of Controlled Drugs with intent to supply. We'll keep following the case.
