Raids unveil hidden cash and ammo in $1-billion StCMC fraud probe
Published:Saturday | January 11, 2025 | 12:11 AMLivern Barrett/Senior Staff Reporter
Investigators stumbled upon a number of unexpected items during a series of coordinated raids this week that are related to the alleged $1-billion fraud uncovered at the St Catherine Municipal Corporation (StCMC), law enforcement sources have revealed.
Approximately $1.5 million in cash was found during a search at one location, while 94 bullets – 44 more than legally permitted – were allegedly found during the search of a home occupied by a licensed gun owner, according to sources.
The licensed firearm owner, identified as Sean Grant, has been charged with unauthorised possession of and dealing in ammunition, authorities disclosed to The Gleaner yesterday.
“He could not give a satisfactory explanation for it,” said one investigator.
The occupant of the house where the cash was found has not been accused of any crime, but investigators are working to determine if there are any violations of the Proceeds of Crime Act.
A total of 17 locations, including the StCMC's Spanish Town head office, were searched by the security forces between Tuesday night and Thursday as part of a four-year investigation into the alleged fraud.
The Gleaner reported yesterday that a joint law enforcement investigation revealed that multiple fraudulent schemes were used over several years to bleed nearly $1 billion from the StCMC.
No-show contracts – paying out millions for work that was not done – were the main fraudulent schemes detected during the investigation, which began in 2020, according to multiple sources.
“Everybody – PNP and JLP – was benefiting,” said one source, making reference to the two main political parties – the People's National Party and the governing Jamaica Labour Party.
No arrests were made arising from the search operations, but investigators expect to make several arrests soon, sources revealed.