Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1533434
3 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 19 MARCH 2025 NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 According to statements giv- en by the soldier, he admitted to neglecting his duties, ac- knowledging that had he been attentive, he would have no- ticed the theft in progress or at least realised that it had taken place. The bombardier on duty at the time was meant to be rest- ing, though this did not mean he was allowed to sleep for two hours. Had he remained awake, he could have noticed that his colleague was failing to conduct surveillance. The inquiry found multiple security failures that contrib- uted to the breach. The AFM Brigadier had opted against a fixed police presence, arguing that over 30 security cameras were in place, along- side three soldiers conducting surveillance with night vision capabilities and patrols. However, despite these measures, the security system failed, both in terms of active security (the soldiers and pa- trols) and passive security (the fence). Other security shortcom- ings were also highlighted, in- cluding the fact that two large skips partially obstructed the container, limiting visibility. These were only removed af- ter the theft. Additionally, sev- eral floodlights that had been reported as faulty remained unrepaired until after the in- cident. The locks on the contain- er were also deemed inade- quate, leading authorities to weld three metal bars onto the doors post-theft to prevent further breaches. Authorities are now consid- ering additional measures, in- cluding real-time monitoring in control rooms, the installa- tion of intrusion alarms along fences, and improvements to the security infrastructure at military storage sites. Additionally, the issue of where seized drugs should be stored and destroyed has come under scrutiny. The inquiry noted that Mal- ta currently has only one in- cinerator, which is old and frequently malfunctions, lead- ing to delays in drug disposal. There are now plans to build a new incinerator in Maghtab, while the existing one in Mar- sa would remain on standby. The inquiry also recom- mended the establishment of a dedicated secure compound to store seized drugs and confis- cated items, as well as an eval- uation of police-held vehicles taking up space in Pembroke and Kandja. According to the Office of the Prime Minister, Brigadier Clinton O'Neill has been rein- stated as Chief Commander of the AFM. Two of the accused in the drug heist being escorted to Corradino Correctional Facility (Photos: James Bianchi/MaltaToday) AFM drug heist: 'Multiple security failures contributed to breach' The AFM Brigadier had opted against a fixed police presence, arguing that over 30 security cameras were in place, alongside three soldiers conducting surveillance with night vision capabilities and patrols 'Disappointed' minister says AFM heist should not reflect badly on whole army HOME affairs minister Byron Camilleri said he is disap- pointed by the actions of sol- diers who failed to monitor an armed base, resulting in a ma- jor drug heist, but said their actions does not reflect those of the rest of the army. Speaking in parliament on Tuesday, Camilleri said he was disappointed and angry to read an inquiry report into the heist, which revealed that a soldier tasked with moni- toring security cameras at the AFM barracks watched a two- hour film on his tablet on the night of the heist. "We invested a lot in the AFM," he said, mentioning a collective agreement signed in 2020 that introduced bet- ter working conditions for all soldiers. Camilleri said the actions of those soldiers who failed in their duty should not reflect on the rest of the armed forc- es. "We can't put everyone in one basket […] Many soldiers work hard every day, often in silence, helping people in difficulty and saving lives on land, in the air and on sea," he said. However, the minister said he was happy that the inquiry absolved him of any wrongdo- ing. He said he chose to remain silent until the inquiry is pub- lished to avoid prejudicing any investigations. "I chose, with responsibility, not to comment because I felt it would be better and wiser to take a step back and let the inquiry do its work in peace." He said the report is clear that his behaviour was cor- rect. "I believe that I was right to have stayed silent." On Tuesday, the Office of the Prime Minister published an inquiry report into the AFM drugs heist, which saw at least 136kg of cannabis res- in stolent from the high-secu- rity Safi barracks. The inquiry revealed that one of the soldiers tasked with monitoring the security cameras at the barracks was watching a two-hour film on his tablet with earphones on. Another two soldiers were asleep. Home affairs minister Byron Camilleri