UPDATE: Police make huge error in Mahaut money seizure

The police have admitted to making a huge error in relation to a quantity of money seized in Belfast, Mahaut on Wednesday.

The police had originally reported that over $1-million was seized but is now admitting the amount is much less than that.

In an original release to the media police PRO, Inspector Pellam Jno Baptiste reported that about $1.2-million in various currencies was seized in the community during an operation by the Drug Squad Unit on Wednesday, April 19.

He broke down the money as follows:

-$36,940 un US currency
-$569,170.60 in EC currency
-€167,285 in European currency

However, later Thursday morning, Jno Baptiste said the actual amount of money seized was in excess of EC$550,000 and not $1.2-million as previously reported.

He stated the new breakdown of the money is as follows:

-$36,940 un US currency
-€167,285 in European currency

When both currencies were converted, it came to a total of EC$569,170.60, Jno Baptiste said.

The error occurred when the EC conversion was added to the monies recovered.

“The Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force apologizes to the general public for the errors in the previous release in relation to that seizure,” Jno Baptiste stated.

Meanwhile, two men from Mahaut are in custody in relation to the seizure of the money and investigations are ongoing.

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65 Comments

  1. Rowrowbaby
    April 22, 2017

    Can’t calculate

  2. The Baptiste
    April 22, 2017

    Frankly, I do not buy this adjusted story. Why? because according to the police report this operation was conducted in Mahaut, in the Commonwealth-of-Dominica, yet all currencies seized were in foreign denominations e.g. Us and EU .
    In other words no local purchases were made? Is it that either returning Dominicans or visitors from those countries whose currency it is that we are now been told was confiscated were targeted, because they would not be in the halleuia corus in the dispensing of CBI money?
    It is strange and ironic that no EC currency was among the monies. A more sinister question, was there in fact EC currency in the initial seizeur, which subsequently disappeared? Inspector Jno Baptiste please come again. We know your promotion was based on your trip to New York to spy on American citizens and residents expressing their fundamental rights under the US constitution, a right which the government you worships denies most of its citizens.

  3. sense of humour
    April 21, 2017

    free mathematics classes for police. Any police officer interested, check me.

  4. star
    April 21, 2017

    what did i tell allu earlier,.. the police dont worry about crime or nttn.. they only care to look for ganja and drug money.. hahaha… so they can get the interest they begging.. u think they going to turn all d money in when so long they gwayeyin on dt little salary.. full alu pockets self.. alu would be foolish not to

  5. Jonathan St jean
    April 21, 2017

    The police PRO is the voice of the police on criminal matters.When we hear the PRO in his deliberative style we trust that we can take it to the bank.Here we have a case where we can’t believe what the PRO tells us.Mr Blackmore, Minister in charge of the police, wants us to believe that he is doing a great job.The buck stops with him.So many instances of wrong doing by policemen which have gone into thin air now big money shenanigans.The PRO outlined the various currency denominations and the total,so how can they be telling us the total is now different.I smell a rat.I’m not surprised because money has gone missing from police headquarters in the past with no consequences.The ministry of Justice, immigration and national security is dysfunctional.I would hope that more than one person counted the money before the total was reported by the PRO,so how can two or more people make such a blunder.Corruption in high places is my conclusion

  6. UDOHREADYET
    April 20, 2017

    Just a thought…
    So if they have US & European currency they’re not selling the drugs to Dominicans or they buying it for foreigners or foreign people using Dominicans to pump the drugs into the Island.

  7. lovejoy
    April 20, 2017

    The Police you all are truly magnificient.So much distractions to ensure you did not get to the scene. Don’t worry about the calculations you are policemen and not accountants. Prepare a trial balance and we can account for every penny. No worries there good job as usual.

  8. Big Bannan
    April 20, 2017

    Police Pasa contay man?

  9. Iamanidiot
    April 20, 2017

    Money start missing already? lol

  10. Willie
    April 20, 2017

    Are we to understand that the police counted such a big bundle of E.C. Cash at first and later found there was none?
    This is mind boggling!

  11. lol
    April 20, 2017

    lol but I dont think that the police or the government would play with drug dollars like this.

    • Toto
      April 21, 2017

      You are a bit naive. If government was serious they would have locked up the big fish long time ago. You really do believe they and the police don’t know who these people are?

  12. deals gone bad
    April 20, 2017

    Crooked drug deals gone bad? That is what the community of Mahaut is now famous for? Mahaut was bubbling with skilled young men. Today the village is reeling. Unemployment among the youth, in particular, is high. Many know about those serious drug dealings going on. The little boys will get busted, will be sent to jail. Many of the Big Boys are protected.

    One day the little boys will talk about what is going on and the role of the BIG BOYS in those drug deals crippling the social fabric of the community . The community is contaminated with DRUGS and DRUG MONEY.

    MADNESS going on in Dominica. Why didn’t the Police PRO confirm the correct amount, before reporting to the public? Those are too serious matters that must be reported accurately.

    Remember Dominicans that a serious armed robbery took place at the Mahaut Credit Union,in broad daylight, some years ago? Masked men were involved Up to now, No arrests. No Case

    Something is happening in Mahaut.

    • UDOHREADYET
      April 20, 2017

      have to agree with that

    • BEB
      April 21, 2017

      Do u have any idea who were the mask men ,then why don’t u give the police the information? I think that the police calculated what was the amount of the US dollars and the and the Euro currencies after the conversion, they gave the amount in Eastern Caribbean Currencies and mistakenly summed up all together

  13. Angel
    April 20, 2017

    I understand what the police is saying; but this is a huge blunder. Who counted the money and how can they allow such a thing to happen

  14. Johndoe
    April 20, 2017

    What if they were do all their calculations to make an “error” look as if the the converted rate was accidentally added, which would be believed by a lot of people. That’s money that would have went back to restoring or upgrading the police station instead of having to use tax money to fix the police station

    • $$$$$
      April 20, 2017

      The only money not included now is the EC which is local currency. Easy…..

  15. Marcus Hill
    April 20, 2017

    Give us the exchange rates you used to convert the US$ and euros to EC$.
    Then the amount should add up to EC$569,170.69

    Now we can check if your exchange rates are reasonable and make sense.

  16. Thomian
    April 20, 2017

    Guess it was the young guys who were given money for projects in Mahaut……….wrong amount and wrong arrest…lol …dwl

  17. Phoenix
    April 20, 2017

    Are we that daft in this country to take such a simple error and make mileage with it? I mean is it so far-fetched to believe that they erroneously added the converted amounts to the foreign amounts. Seems that some Dominicans have nothing better to do than to wish for bad, hope for bad and look for specs in everyone’s eye but theirs.

    I would say let those with no sins or who have never made any mistakes throw the first stone, but many comments later I see that we have many perfect beings in Dominica…WOW!

    • Anthony Ismael, Graduate Degree in Kicks Off
      April 20, 2017

      We desperately want to believe otherwise, but facts on the ground dictate how those of us with one quarter of a brain reacts to these stories. So let’s take a quick trip down memory lane:
      Boat for farmers produce: Can’t be found
      Completion of Geothermal Project: Incomplete
      John Rose Lindsay murder case: No convictions
      Glenworth Emmanuel Fire Bombing at his home: No convictions
      Night Landing at Douglas Charles by American Registered Aircraft: Total lie
      Completion of 50 Room Guest House in Portsmouth: Who Knows?
      Cruise Ship Birth in Canefield: Bold Face Labor Lie.
      My former school mate Monga Freeman’s Murder: No arrest no trial. Nothing.
      So please spare us with the self-righteous nonsense.

    • Anthony Ismael, Graduate Degree in Kicks Off
      April 20, 2017

      Man arrested in Portsmouth for possession of ammunition one day and he was found dead the next in his cell with severe wounds, including a punctured organ and several broken bones. We should not believe that report neither, because the Labor Cabal equals perfection.

      • Oh My
        April 21, 2017

        Where does labour come in the death/murder of an incaserated man? What pleasure do you people get by blaming a political party for every negative mishap in this country? Your child/family member will commit a crime and you will tell me that it’s DLP and Skerrit’s fault. Right? Lord help up!

    • Anonymous
      April 21, 2017

      But Phoenix, the evidence is there. Our police can not count.

  18. James Christopher
    April 20, 2017

    There was no EC.

    • $$$$$
      April 20, 2017

      There were no exchange rates. Just the actual cash in different currencies and then the total in EC. I am done with this corruption!!! How the you are so stupid to announce your confiscation and then say you made a huge blunder and apologize for a 50% lower amount. #Done #Dominicadead

  19. Anthony Ismael
    April 20, 2017

    A follow up story to this “Tall Tale,” will read as follows: Rat ate the money in the evidence locker room at Police Headquarters. :-P :-P :-P

  20. Anonymous
    April 20, 2017

    Come on fellers, that money is from catching fish. Fishermen pay no tax, legally so. Don’t believe them when they plead hardship, only three days a week they going out and making cash like that? Well, that is a business I should join, become a fisherman in Mahaut.

  21. Joe Blo
    April 20, 2017

    How comes there were no EC$ found?

  22. Anthony Ismael
    April 20, 2017

    “Much of truth is often spoken in jest.” They made no mistake at all. I think there may have been some confusion about how much was shared amongst the men, versus what was actually reported to the public. It’s apparent that someone messed up “Big Time.” How would we the public know the exact amount of money that was initially recovered during this raid? Were there members from the public present during the initial counting? You guys can report any figure to us and it won’t make a difference. Unless there were members from some type of public commission or interest group present during the initial accounting of monies, your reporting is irrelevant, because there’s a lack of trust and transparency with this administration.

    • BEB
      April 21, 2017

      Are u saying that when ever the police are going on their early morning raids, they should go and wake up some members of the public to accompany them? That would be too tasking for any member of the public

  23. what not corrupt in DA?
    April 20, 2017

    No matter which translation we use Matthew 7:18 will still read like this : “A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, NEITHER CAN A CORRUPT TREE BRING FORTH GOOD FRUIT”, which means if the head is corrupt don’t expect the toe to be not corrupt. People don’t seem to understand the magnitude of the disease of corruption and the threat of it. Folks, imagine the church is very corrupt whether Pentecostal, catholic, Baptist, Seventh Day Adventist and you name it. So corrupt that a preacher can go on national radio to LIE about villas he knows nothing about, just to protect the tree of corruption; tell me who and what under Skerrit is not corrupt. Nothing they say can be trusted whether the justice system, the church, the parliament, police all are corrupt! If Skerrit says adultery is right expect the church to look for scriptures to justify what Skerrit says. It’s a corrupt Tree that brings forth nothing but corrupt fruit

  24. CIA Agent
    April 20, 2017

    One for you,
    One for me.

    One for us,
    One for them.

    Sorry CoDPF, none for you.
    It goes to CBI, to fund NEP.
    aka, Committee to re-elect RS.

    The public may well forgive an abusive leader as long as his bounty
    is spread widely among the population and does not seem to be
    endangering economic growth.

    • Toppa Tings
      April 20, 2017

      what does CoPDF mean?????

  25. Jonas Braithwaite, BSc. (engineering)
    April 20, 2017

    What a wonderful (and innovative way) for the government to launder money –

    1) Drugs ‘bust’ by way of put up job to idiots
    2) Money seized
    3) Government keeps money – puts it into government programs whereby private contractors get the money who are then ‘grateful’ to the said government;
    4) Idiots go to jail
    5) Government is happy :)

  26. Yinka
    April 20, 2017

    If ignorance was horses a lot of Dominicans would be riding…come on people get serious…stop the stupid commenting!

  27. The voice
    April 20, 2017

    The money can very well disappear and reappear in some one’s pocket!!!!

    • RisperdalChild
      April 20, 2017

      Or they can ‘throw it away in a shoe box when they were sweeping’… :lol: :lol: :lol:

  28. Shaka Zulu
    April 20, 2017

    Is that true or someone swept it out accidentally. The police force in Dominica has already lost my trust. These guys are either highly incompetent or just pure dumb.

    • Joe
      April 20, 2017

      Yet Ska for the sake of politics you will support them getting 15% increase right!!!!!!

      • Shaka Zulu
        April 20, 2017

        I would support them getting an increase because cost of living and inflation has increased and it is only fair to adjust. 15 % is a starting point for negotiation that’s all. Since you asked, for politics it seems you indicating thier incompetent behavior alone should be cause to deny them raise. A party in power for 16 years can only sell passports as sole plan for development. That is also seriously incompetent, so my guess you should vote them out. The police hurt thier negotiations Chip when they do crap like this. Why give you 15 %. When you cannot count.
        For argument sake police could indicate higher pay would attract more talented and brilliant folks.

  29. Faceup
    April 20, 2017

    Is the RAT who told, getting some of that cash as payment?

  30. Faceup
    April 20, 2017

    So you asking me where i get the money? “ITS NONE OF YOUR DAMN BUSINESS”

  31. Tjebe fort
    April 20, 2017

    Boy you see? Not only care in the community but also cash in the community we have. Who says Dominica is poor?. By the way what is European currency, Euros, Swiss Franks, English pounds? Anyway that is a lot of dough that can make a lot of bread.

  32. DT
    April 20, 2017

    wow what else can I say

  33. We like it so
    April 20, 2017

    Their defense in court ought to be : ” No law nor constitution can prevent them from having their money.
    Or they can claim to be Passport agents in the CBI program. They can add” We are the establishment/ Cabal’s supporters and entitled.
    How about that? What does one expect from a population who have been led to believe anything goes when the opportunity arises? Monkey do what Monkey see.

    • Dominican
      April 20, 2017

      Actually, its not Skerrit that make people believe this but people like you who have taken it out of context and spitefully ringing it in their ears. You believe that this is the way to get skerrit out but what you are actually doing is adding more years to his mandate. Keep reminding them, you are doing very well so far :mrgreen:

      • We like it so
        April 20, 2017

        If this in response to my statements then great you got the point lol. real loud too
        When ah throw me corn me nah call no fowl. who the cap fits let em belch bubbles not the Villas pseudo owner. but you the one foaming at the corners of the mouth.

        Touched a nerve it seems lol am laughing.
        Oh almost forgot would you happen to be an agent employed by the cabal’s CIB program and have to defend your loot?
        tickle me/us as 4 me mines all have been ablated surgically. I don’t feel hear no touch sensors either.
        eat ur heart out loser,rumer,foodie. I can imagine what U look like with the 3 descriptive words lol hahahhahahaha.

      • viewsexpressed
        April 20, 2017

        My friend, Skerrit has a reputation, one not to be desired. It is questionable and guess dangerous. Too many leaks, corruption, deceitfulness, Bobol, going on in this corrupt labour government.

        Skerrit Must Go..The corrupt Labour Government must Go

    • Dominican
      April 20, 2017

      Seems like we like it so is the one with the damaged nerve with that long nonsensical response. If you are foaming at the mouth you need a doctor and quick you may have rabies or something serious, feel better soon

      • We like it so
        April 20, 2017

        So the nerve really got severed not even pinched! the cap fit the rumial lol the foaming hit low & direct continue 2 drink big belly man broth-eating loser supporter full time of a bunch of voleaur ignorant losers who gonna die soon from consumption. Dominican U got keys for a Venezuelan house or those in Fly city/silver lake. you like it so the free housing free money food Dependant on the cabal you go to the clinic at nights? Then if so we have to change ur name 2 Nicadimus
        I can see you a sleep at nights after coming from a speak easy then falling asleep on ur back like a turtle on it’s back if madam doh wake u up u won’t by urself loser.

  34. John Jay
    April 20, 2017

    Good business Mahaut the PM & d Parliamentry represent at I’ve should take this and repair the community of Mahaut with it. We need lights fire hyd rants repair of roads etc.
    Although they are not working good all the time but kudos to the police.

  35. Eastport
    April 20, 2017

    More money to go missing from the evidence locker!

    • FRIEND
      April 20, 2017

      I LOVE YHIS COMMENT

    • Toppa Tings
      April 20, 2017

      same way you went missing from school.

  36. ArayofLight
    April 20, 2017

    :cry: HMMMMM

  37. MR. DAIEL
    April 20, 2017

    drugs burning money don’t burn……

  38. abdul
    April 20, 2017

    CBI money!!! LOL

  39. zandoli
    April 20, 2017

    I hope there is “proceeds of crime” legislation in place to allow the government to keep that money.

    • viewsexpressed
      April 20, 2017

      I do not trust this money in their hands…not at all..

  40. NUWPl
    April 20, 2017

    Good job.

  41. LifeandDeath
    April 20, 2017

    Wow..is this the biggest bust yet in DA? Over half a million in EC$..!!..hmmm..interesting to know the story behind this..

  42. Kermit
    April 20, 2017

    Wow!!!! Hmph! That’s a lot of cash! Tip off!

  43. papa
    April 20, 2017

    Yes but man cut attempted murder no arrest no law for the poor smh

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