Father and son lose J$390k in cash forfeiture

A sum of cash totaling JMD 392,350 and USD 20 was forfeited from two unemployed men in the Corporate Area Civil Division Court at Sutton Street on Friday, September 11, 2020.

They are 60-year-old Kenneth Smith and his 21-year-old son Jamar Smith both of Bog Walk, St. Catherine who were charged under Section 79 of the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA). Both men represented themselves in the forfeiture hearing.

On May 4, 2018 police officers from the Lawrence Tavern Police Station were on patrol in the Top Road area of Lawrence Tavern when they signalled motorcar to stop. The Smiths were the only persons on board. Following a discussion with the men the vehicle was searched and two (2) large plastic bags containing marijuana were found in the trunk of the car.

Both men also consented to a personal search which revealed that they had cash amounting to JMD 392,350 and USD 20. The senior Smith had JMD 360,350 and his son the remainder. In their statements to the police neither of the men were able to declare the source of the cash following which the appropriate POCA charges were laid.

The men were also charged with offences under the Dangerous Drugs Act to include Possession of, Dealing in and Trafficking Ganja.