MORE than $20.9 million linked to crime have been forfeited to the state.
This according to Senior Superintendent Avinash Singh, of the Financial Investigations Branch (FIB), in a release of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) on Thursday.
He said $20.9 million was forfeited to the state by the courts as a result of financial investigations.
Singh said, “This is cash that has been found to be linked to crimes inclusive of firearms and drug trafficking among other specified offences and which therefore had the potential to be used to further fuel violent crime.”
The latest forfeiture came on Wednesday when Chief Magistrate Maria Busby Earle-Caddle ordered $29,901 in seized cash be forfeited to the state, inclusive of interest.
The release stated that the cash in question was seized on April 30, 2021, by Inspector Knott, of the Besson Street Police Station, under the authority of section 38(1) of the Proceeds of Crime Act Chapter 11:27.
WPC Beharry of the Financial Investigations Branch (FIB) was detailed to conduct enquiries into the legitimacy of the seized cash.
Upon completion of her investigation, she submitted an investigative file, together with an application of forfeiture order to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for consideration. The DPP then proceeded to file an application for a forfeiture order in accordance with section 39 of the Proceeds of Crime Act Chapter 11:27.
Singh said, “The Financial Investigations Branch continues with its mandate to deprive the criminal elements of their illicit proceeds. The Branch continues to utilize the provisions of the Proceeds of Crime Act to ensure that proceeds of criminal activities are identified and forfeited accordingly.”
