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August 15, 2008
Money Seized by Police Replaced with Counterfeit
Police in Spanish Town have a huge nut to crack at the moment, as money and other material confiscated by them in 2006 has seemingly disappeared from their safe holding area. Not only did the $800,000 and four cellphones fly the coup with no apparent explanation; the bills were also replaced by counterfeit notes, some of which were crudely photocopied.
Resident Magistrate Marcia Dunbar-Green ordered on Monday that charges against Anthony Barrett, Dushane Sweeny and Dalton Thomas be dropped, following successful litigation by defense attorney George Soutar. Charged with unlawful possession of $800,000 and other material; said to be unaccounted for, the men have appeared in court on many occasions since their arrest in late 2006.
Upon their acquittal, that was granted after the court learned the money seized was in fact properly accounted for and was to be used for the purchase of an automobile, the court ordered the money be returned to the accused men. It was then that the discovery of over $100,000 in counterfeit notes was made.
An investigation has been launched and defense attorney Soutar is
demanding it be thorough, since genuine notes were confiscated and the
same ought to be returned.