Customs and Excise makes big money haul

Russel Moore, a 31-year-old Electrician of Fair Home Gardens, Maxwell, Christ Church, Barbados, was on Tuesday, August 23, detained at the E.T. Joshua Airport shortly after he arrived on LIAT flight 331 from Barbados.

Officials from the Customs and Excise Department and Police conducted a search on his person and found a quantity of Barbadian dollars concealed in his pants waist and pockets. The money was checked and it amounted to over EC$10,000. {{more}}

On Wednesday 24th August 2005, he admitted to making false declaration to a Customs Officer and importing goods concealed in a manner with the intention of deceiving a Customs Officer. He was fined $5,000 on both charges. The balance of the money was seized.

In related news, Keisha Grandison of Thorpes, St. James Barbados was also detained and fined EC$6,000 for breach of the Customs and Control Management Act 14 of 1999.

Keisha and another friend arrived in St. Vincent on Tuesday, August 23 on LIAT flight 381. When questioned by Customs and Police Officials, she denied having anything to declare.

A search was then carried out by Customs and a quantity of Barbadian dollars was found concealed in her bra.

In other news, Beverly Roberts a Jamaican residing at 65 Wonstead Garden St. James Barbados was on Friday, August 19, detained and charged by Customs for making false declaration and having goods concealed in a manner to deceive a Customs Officer.

Roberts who arrived in St.Vincent on board LIAT flight 381 from Barbados was searched by Customs officials and a quantity of Barbadian currency was found hidden in her shoe. Roberts was fined $5,000.

In a joint operation with the SVG Coast Guard, a go fast boat named “Nature Plan” was found docked at Rocky Bay Bequia with three persons on board.

A quantity of marijuana amounting to 3859 grams was found. Checks were made and it revealed that they had not cleared with Customs.

Anthony Bartholomew of Lascuvas Trinidad, the Captain of the boat pleaded guilty when he appeared before the Senior Magistrate Carl Joseph at the Kingstown Magistrate Court on Monday, August 22. He was fined $5000.00 for breach of the Customs Control and Management Act 14 of 1999.

In related news, in another joint operation with the SVG Coast Guard, Roger Thomas of Lot 23, Palmiste Drive Sangre Grande, Trinidad, was on Wednesday, August 24, fined $5,000 for a breach of the Customs Control and Management Act #14 of 1999 for failing to notify Customs on arrival.

Thomas, who arrived from Trinidad on August 19, on a go fast boat docked at Canouan Wharf but did not clear with the Customs Officials stationed there. Thomas pleaded guilty.

In other news Fredrick Grant, a Vincentian residing at Golf Club Road, Worthing Christ Church, Barbados was fined $5,000 for making a false declaration to a Customs Officer.

Grant arrived in the state on Friday, August 5, on board a Caribbean Star Airline. He was questioned as to how much money he had and he said “just about $5,000. A search revealed that Grant had in his possession more than EC$10,000.