[Original release date March 11, 2026]: The Financial Investigations Division (FID) is warning that it will take firm enforcement action against persons who fail to honour the terms and deadlines of pecuniary penalty orders (PPOs) made by the courts under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA).
The warning follows action taken against Jason Kameka and Orville Barriffe, both of whom have been charged in relation to breaches of PPOs previously imposed by the court. The apprehension and charging of both men for the breaches were due to the astute work of the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Specialised Investigation Branch (formerly the Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigation Branch C-TOC), specifically its Constabulary Financial Unit. The agency also highlighted that the JCF’s Specialised Investigation Branch was central to the investigations and charges laid against both men for the predicate offences that gave rise to both matters, namely fraud in Kameka’s case and narcotics offences in Barriffe’s case.
Kameka, who is currently in custody on a separate matter, will remain in custody and is scheduled to appear before the court on March 13, 2026 to answer to the breach. Barriffe was offered bail and is scheduled to appear before the court on April 7, 2026.
Kameka was previously convicted in the Kingston and St. Andrew Parish Court for Conspiracy to Defraud, Aiding and Abetting the Commission of an Offence under the Cybercrimes Act, and Obtaining Money by False Pretence. He was subsequently made subject to a PPO in the sum of just over J$18.1 million, dating back to 2020. Investigations later revealed that no payment was made despite the court order.
Barriffe was convicted in the Saint Catherine Parish Court for Possession of Cocaine and Dealing in Cocaine. Following his committal to the Circuit Court for a benefit hearing under POCA, a consent order was made on September 21, 2022, requiring him to pay a pecuniary penalty of J$6 million. The order required an initial payment of J$600,000 within 30 days, followed by monthly payments of J$235,000 for 22 months, with a final payment of J$230,000 in the 24th month. The FID’s records indicate that although partial payments were made, the majority of the amount remains outstanding, and there was no evidence of an appeal or any application for additional time. A subsequent directive to pay outstanding amounts was also ignored.
Under section 12(6) of POCA, “A person who fails to pay any amounts required to be paid by that person under a pecuniary penalty order or an order under section 5(5) within the time allowed under this section for such payment, commits an offence and is liable upon conviction before a parish court judge to imprisonment for a term, not exceeding five years.” Additionally, section 13 of POCA imposes interest on outstanding pecuniary penalty orders until payment is made. The present annual rate of interest is 6%.
As at September 30, 2025, there were 17 persons ordered by the courts to pay pecuniary penalty orders with various deadlines or end dates, representing a combined value of J$114,763,109.44. Of that number, 2 matters are under appeal, 3 persons are fully compliant and honouring their monthly payment schedules, while 12 are delinquent, meaning that they are at least one month behind on their court-ordered obligations.
The FID advised that where a missed deadline is identified, the agency first writes to the individual reminding them of the breach and instructing that payment be made in keeping with the court-ordered schedule. If there is no response, or if the person fails to comply with the instructions in that letter, then at that time the agency will proceed to apprehend and charge the individual under POCA.
Principal Director of Financial Crimes Investigations, Keith Darien, said the agency will continue to act decisively where persons ignore these court orders. “A pecuniary penalty order is a binding order of the court and must be treated as such. The FID will not tolerate situations in which persons benefit from unlawful conduct, are given a lawful opportunity to satisfy the order of the court, and then choose to disregard those obligations. Where breaches occur, we will pursue the matter fully and without hesitation.”
He added, “The FID is committed to using all lawful measures available under POCA to enforce compliance and to uphold the principle that crime must not pay.”
Senior Director of Legal Services, Courtney Smith, said compliance with pecuniary penalty orders is a critical part of the wider effort to deprive criminals of the proceeds of unlawful activity. “The Proceeds of Crime Act is intended to ensure that crime does not pay. Pecuniary penalty orders are central to that objective, as they require persons to repay the value of the benefit that the court says they derived from criminal conduct.
Failure to comply is more than just a procedural oversight; it is an offence under the Proceeds of Crime Act and may result in continued interest accruing on that outstanding sum, notwithstanding any conviction arising from nonpayment. The FID remains committed to enforcing these orders and upholding the authority of the court once the court has so pronounced.”
The FID is reminding defendants and their attorneys that where genuine difficulty arises, the appropriate course is to seek relief through the court. Ignoring deadlines, failing to respond to official reminders, and defaulting on court-ordered payment schedules will not be tolerated.