Gov't gets US$1.35-m in confiscated cash

BY COREY ROBINSON Sunday Observer Staff Reporter robinsonc@jamaicaobserver.com

Sunday, February 19, 2012

OVER a million US dollars in cash which was seized by the police in 2007 under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) is to be turned over to the Jamaican Government.

The money, US$1.35 million — which is equivalent to J$117 million — represents the largest such seizure in Jamaica's history. The courts on Friday ordered that it be handed over to the government.

The cash was found inside a freezer during the search of a West Cumberland premises in Portmore, St Catherine by members of the Organised Crime Investigation Division (OCID), who confiscated it.

One person was arrested and charged in connection with the find, but the charge was later dismissed.

According to Director of Communication of the Jamaica Constabulary Force Karl Angell, this is a major success for the police, particularly since the seizure case started after the criminal case was thrown out.

According to a release he issued, the case is also significant because of the level of cooperation between several agents of the state, namely the Jamaica Constabulary Force, the Financial Investigation Divison, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

POCA was passed by Parliament in March 2007 and came into effect on May 30 that same year. It is wide-ranging legislation that targets benefits derived from the commission of any crime, and allows the police — through the courts — to freeze, seize and forfeit the assets of persons involved in criminal enterprises.