An ongoing investigation by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) following the discovery and seizure of over US$300,000.00 has resulted in the arrest of one individual.
McKelson Ferrol, Director of the FIU says, on April 20, 2022, a joint operation the police, the Customs and Excise Division and the FIU, resulted in the interception of US $332, 250.00 equivalent to EC $897, 922.24 from one male adult of Lagoon Portsmouth residing at Canefield.
According to Ferrol, on the aforementioned date, the individual proceeded to the customs examination counter at Portsmouth to commence the examination process of one brown box bearing a Cost-U- Less logo, a shipment imported from St. Maarten which was transported via sea on a cargo vessel.
The FIU Director revealed that upon examination of the box, the Customs Officer saw three gain soap powder boxes all containing US currency sealed in “clear vacuum-packed, sealed plastic bags.”
“Further examination revealed an additional three clear vacuum-packed sealed plastic bags containing United States currency. A total of four vacuum-packed sealed plastic bags, containing United States currency was intercepted concealed in the form soap powder boxes,” Ferrol stated.
He said the four packages were examined and counted and the male individual was arrested on suspicion of breaches of the Customs Act.
Following an investigation by the Customs Division, both FIU and the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) were engaged.
“The Financial Intelligence Unit also commenced a parallel financial investigations into the matter. Having deliberated on the evidence and the circumstances surrounding the seizure, it was so agreed that the cash should be handed over to the FIU,” Ferrol said.
He said an application was filed for the forfeiture of the cash pursuant to the Proceeds of Crime Act at the Magistrate’s court and investigations into the matter are ongoing.
Is it not true that the name of the arrested is Randy Phillips. And further isn’t it true that this individual is very much connected to Minister “Gwa Gel” Reginald Austrie. Also, I am eagerly awaiting if Port manager ” Bad Will ” will take action against Reginald Austrie’s guys on the port. The level of corruption in DA has reached heights of epical proportions, but Dominicans still love their Ministers.
Dominicans we have a few teeeeef on wheel giving Meals look out for them, they might be in your neighborhood as we speak .
There have been many instances of illicit money found in the possession of Dominicans in recent months in Mahaut, up North, in the South and now in Portsmouth. The purpose of punishment in the legal system is as a deterrent to continued and further illegal action. I’m aware that even if there is punishment for murder the illegal taking of the life of others still continues. However, the perpetrators of the illicit money coming into Dominica have not been given sufficient punishment for their crime and this gives others the view that if caught, it’s worth the risks because the price to pay isn’t much. With corrupt leadership in the region as we saw recently in the BVI, bin bobol and failure to pay land transfer fees, illegal barrels of guns on the port, diplomats arrested and jailed etc, and a few flaunting their quick and questionable accumulated wealth, the climate is ripe for risk takers to try to get a piece of the rotten pie. The next level is bearing fruit.
Monkey see Monkey do. The fish stinks from the head. So why isn’t the head taken in for questioning regard our stolen money? All you waiting for America to do it for al U? Well, Dem go do it. The “Head” looks corrupt, smells corrupt, talks corrupt, walks corrupt, and now he’s even scared of his shadow because even that is corrupt. To solve all these crookedness in government around the Caribbean, there needs to be a rotation of police officers around the Caribbean. For example, police officers from Guyana could replace the Dominica police force for a year and vise versa. Changing of the guard “so to speak.” Politicians would walk a straight line; instead of them having their personal gangsters protecting them. Rotate those police officers around the Caribbean and elsewhere. Enough is enough. We must consider IBO France a real patriot. We need such voice on DNO. He will be a minister in the Honorable Linton Administration. God bless Dominica.
Give the man his money back!
Timing is everything, so all of a sudden the FIU want to flex their wings. So many corrupt crimes that we have reported to the Ferrol and his gang and yet we have seen nothing done about it. So now that the U.S had arrested the BIV premier , Ferrol want to show that Dominica Police is doing something about money laundering and drugs in Da? Well Mr. Ferrol you do not impress me with your theatrics.
It was just in 2019 when Nanton landed in Portsmouth on a helicopter without any Customs clearance no police present , he just walked of the Copter with a big briefcase in hand , no questions asked up till now and you want to come and show off now ?
If I had to call you guys out on the head in the sand practice that you have been doing it would take too long. I have no confidence that this case will go far, just like the guy form Colihuat (Revirre) and the drugs on the port. give us an update.
Token gestures, nothing but token gestures. If there was a proper, totally independent FIU in Dominica, at least 20% of hardcore DLP supporters would be in Stockform including most of the top dogs. Isn’t Stockfarm to small I hear you saying… yes for sure, but remember the US authorities are quite eager to accommodate some, in particular the top dogs. I say no more for the time being.
Let’s hope that this seizure will show up in the State’s Treasury as it should and not in the pocket of most highly entrenched members of the Cabal. We can observe who has new vehicles down the road and that will tell us exactly where the money went. Amazingly, no names were released. I wonder why?
From behind the man in picture looks like Roosevelt Skerrit eh? Is that he nou?
All the government boys does get their way doh worry man. Just like how they give a son of maybe the richest family in Portsmouth who own hardware a scholarship
But I Kia understand that .. they arrest someone.. who is the person that got arrested??? Why they have that in a hush hush kinda scene. Who is involved in transporting that large sum on money therr???? I hear some big boys involved in that.. I watching closely to that case.. something not right about that..
Hm, think I believe these guys? Ferrol ?That Paix Bouche boy? And his wife from Veille case like Skerrit? Gason, in light of the arrest of the BVI premier for drugs and money laundering as well of the Columbian drug Lord extradited to the US for drugs and money laundering and is rumored to be close friend of some big boys here, a big arrest took place in Portsmouth? Is this arrest real or just to make sure he doesn’t give out any information to anyone? Gason I like to connect dots so I will do just that
Hello and good morning my people. Well reading this article don’t say anything as to the money is from any illegal activity. The only issue I see is that he didn’t disclosed the money upon entry. With a good Lawyer he should win his case and only have to pay a fine for failure to disclose the money upon entry.
know your laws..
There is this little issue of the ‘source of funds’ that he will have to address. Why do you think they have filed for the forfeiture of the cash? He will have to prove that the funds are from a legitimate source; if not, it could be goodbye cash and hello prison.
They got the little man but what about the big man behind all this?? Here is the thing, the entire issue will be swept under the carpet again, as usual, because the police will get a slap on their wrists by a certain government Minister. You see in Dominica the police before taking action must first ask the Ministers if everything is clear from their end. Clearly in this case that wasn’t done. Naughty police!!! Now let’s all wait and see where this case goes…
If this is dark money, then good job by the Forensic Investigation Unit (FIU). Money laundering leads to many other grave crimes. Stop these activities in the bud for one these could far reaching consequences for the country. It can turn the country into a den of crimes.
Having said that, there is an urgent need for a very thorough forensic investigation about the missing 4.2B CBI funds, the airport savings account, Roosevelt’s insanely accumulation of wealth. Why has he not been made to legally account for exorbitant lifestyle and numerous, expensive, material possessions?
There are bigger fish to be caught out there. They are so conspicuous to all but invisible to you ( members of the FIU). Justice in Dominica favours the unjust.
Man you got a chip on your shoulder old man. Where does PM connect Wow what an intelligent and at the same time stupid person you are……Gosh. Can you debate one only one time without involving Skerrit? Is he your Step dad maybe.?
“It can turn the country into a den of crimes.”
Dominica is already a den of crimes, time will tell.
The only crime here is not disclosing currency over $10,000.
I hope the money doh disappear when the magistrate on behalf of El Supremo say give the man his money eh. Remember when “the inspector of meals” accidentally throw thousands of exhibit dollars in the trash while serving at the Marigot police station? What a dam teeeeff! There are lots of sticky fingers in those two investigating departments and we must keep them honest. Anyway we all know not a darn thing go happen to the perpetrator because of his political connections especially since he from jardin-patat-laybar. Mark my words
Just call the Prime Minister or your Portsmouth Parl Rep and you will be alright! But they maybe working on this on your behalf already, they just have to call the Police Commissioner or the DPP and they will do the bidding of the master, just like for the Antiguan Indian Mehul Choksi and more recently Dr. Thomson Fontaine!