Women face money laundering charges

Two women are scheduled to appear in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court later today to answer to charges of money laundering.

The two, Sherica Whyte, a sales representative, and Olievene Walker, a customer service representative, both from a St James address, were nabbed last week after they were reportedly stopped and searched at the Norman Manley International Airport attempting to board a flight to Panama.

Accoring to detectives, when searched, Whyte was found to be in possession of US$29,790 while Walker was found with US$22,500 in her possession.

Proceeds of Crime

The money was seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act and, following investigations by the Constabulary Financial Unit (CFU), both women were charged with attempting to remove criminal property from Jamaica, concealing criminal property and possessing criminal property. According to detectives, a third woman who was found with US$24,000 is yet to be charged.

The CFU was established in July 2010 as part of the Organised Crime Investigation Division to deal with investigations under the Proceeds of Crime Act, 2007. Since February 2011, it has seized more than J$8 million and has another J$40 million currently before the court. This J$40 million is a percentage of J$80 million that is actively being investigated by the unit. Since April, a total of nine persons have been charged with money-laundering offences by the unit and it is said to be actively pursuing other investigations.