Jamaica, UK to share confiscated crime assets
June 15, 2006
JAMAICA HAS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Kingdom (UK) Home Office to permit the sharing of forfeited assets between local authorities and Great Britain.
As one of the agreements brokered by Dr. Peter Philips, Minister of National Security, on his recent nine-day visit to the UK and France, this will allow assets forfeited on the basis of joint operations in Jamaica or Britain to be shared on an equitable basis between the two nations.
"All of the proceeds that are so forfeited will be returned to the fight against crime and will be given to the law enforcement authorities, the courts or the police force," Dr. Phillips said in discussing the outcome of his visit during a press briefing at his New Kingston offices yesterday.
NO ESTIMATE
The National Security Minister declined to give an estimate of just how much money the country is likely to gain from the agreement, but pointed to past seizures made in the UK that amounted to millions of pounds. He noted, in particular, the case of Owen 'Father Fowl' Clarke, an alleged Jamaican druglord and founder of the British Link Up Crew, whose assets were seized in the UK....
Author: Jamaica Gleaner
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
