EDITORIAL - Police owe explanation of MoBay cases

We, for now, offer the police the benefit of the doubt and assume that they are being strategic in the Michael Troupe/Sylvan Reid cases.

If we are wrong, and the police and prosecutors have shot their bolt, not only will there be much embarrassment swirling around, but a deepened crisis of confidence in the country's law-enforcement agencies.

That would not be good.

Mr Troupe is a major player in western Jamaican politics, especially within the governing People's National Party (PNP).

He chairs a constituency organisation in St James, and represents the division of Granville in the parish's local government, of which he is deputy chairman, and thus deputy mayor of the city of Montego Bay. Like Mr Troupe, Mr Reid is a member of the PNP and a member of the St James Parish Council for the division of Salt Spring.

In predawn raids on their homes last month, both men were handcuffed, arrested and spent days in a police lock-up before being bailed. The police let it out that both men were part of the infamous lottery scam in which identity thieves in Jamaica led mostly retired Americans to believe they had won lotteries but had to transfer cash, to cover administrative expenses, in order to receive their prizes.

Scores of homicide have been associated with the scam in Jamaica as rival groups jostle for control of the multimillion-dollar fraud.

Based on the statements from the police, there was reasonable expectation that Messrs Troupe and Reid and the other persons arrested would be charged with fraud, related cybercrimes and, perhaps, other criminal acts associated with the scam.

Instead, and surprisingly, Mr Troupe and his son, Jevaughn, 21, were charged in connection with an illegal gun and ammunition found at the Troupes' home, while Mr Reid was accused of being in possession of stolen property, to wit, a television set. Two other relatives of Mr Reid were also charged with possession of stolen property.

ALL SOUND AND FURY?

Not unexpectedly, at the time of their arrests, even ahead of the charges being laid, many people called for Messrs Troupe's and Reid's resignations from the parish council. This newspaper felt, at the very least, they should stand aside until their cases were complete - which Mr Troupe decided to do.

This week, Jevaughn Troupe pleaded guilty to the gun charges and was sentenced to two years in jail and a fine of J$2 million. The charges were withdrawn against his father. The cases against the other persons are pending.

Is that it, with regard to Michael Troupe? After the stance and drama of the police, most reasonable people would be aghast if it is.

Of course, there will be much speculation about, and analyses of, Jevaughn Troupe's guilty plea. But while it will be reasonable for people to question the vigilance of the elder Mr Troupe in monitoring what enters the family home, Jevaughn Troupe is an adult, who has accepted the consequence for an act that he implied was committed of his own accord.

But gaps remain in the whole scenario. Maybe the timing of the July 18 raids and arrests was tactical and the police will explain that the investigations will continue. For what has occurred so far can't be all.

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