Two foreign nationals were each fined $200,000 or sentenced to 20 days in prison after being found with more than US$50,000 in cash at Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) in separate incidents earlier this month.
The men have been identified as Adesh Seuraj, a 39-year-old Trinidadian national, and Lal Chowdhary, a 52-year-old Indian national residing in Curaçao.
According to reports, on Monday, October 6, Seuraj was intercepted by officers from the Jamaica Customs Agency and found in possession of over US$64,000. He reportedly told investigators that the money had been collected from a wholesaler in Jamaica.
Two days later, on Wednesday, October 8, Chowdhary was held at the same airport with more than US$50,000 in his possession. He gave a similar explanation, claiming the funds also came from a local wholesaler.
Both men appeared before the Kingston and St. Andrew Parish Court on Friday, October 10, where they pleaded guilty to conducting a cash transaction exceeding J$1 million, contrary to Section 101 of the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA).
Acting Senior Superintendent of Police Victor Barrett of the Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigations Branch (C-TOC) said the convictions underscored Jamaica’s ongoing efforts to clamp down on financial crimes.
“These convictions send a clear message that Jamaica is not a soft target for financial crimes,” Barrett stated. “They demonstrate the vigilance at our borders, the efficiency of our judiciary, and the professionalism of our investigators. The Proceeds of Crime Act remains a vital tool in disrupting illicit financial activity.”
He also noted that while both men received fines of $200,000, the law allows for fines of up to $3 million or three years’ imprisonment for such offences.
The public is being reminded to report suspicious financial activities or crimes to C-TOC at 876-967-1389, Crime Stop at 311, the National Intelligence Bureau at 811, the police emergency line 119, or the nearest police station.
