By: Natalie Campbell and Myesha Broadie

Three (3) persons have been arrested in connection with a multi-million dollar fraud at HEART NSTA/Trust.

Officers from the Major Organised Crime and Anti-corruption Agency (MOCA) arrested the trio this morning, in two simultaneous targeted operations in Montego Bay, St James and Portmore in St. Catherine.

MOCA says the operations and arrests are in relation to a $17 million fraud investigation at the HEART NSTA/Trust.

According to MOCA’s Director of Communications, Major Basil Jarrett, its agents, with operational support from the police went to a residence in Montego Bay and another in Portmore this morning, in search of three persons, one a former HEART NSTA/Trust employee, suspected to be involved in the multi-million dollar crime.

MOCA says one suspect was found and held at a Portmore residence, while the other two persons were nabbed at their home in Montego Bay. 

According to a MOCA statement, all 3 were detained prior to a search of their respective premises which turned up a number of evidential items which were seized. 

In the meantime, MOCA is urging  members of the public to report any suspicious activities involving financial transactions to the agency’s tip line at 888-moca-tip.

Meanwhile, the HEART NSTA/Trust has sought to clarify that no raid was conducted on any of its premises.

In a statement this morning, the entity said the current investigation into the matter was initiated by the trust based on an anomaly detected as a result of its robust internal system of governance and was referred to moca during 2018-2019 fiscal year.

It said the current leadership of HEART NSTA is aware of the ongoing investigation and remains cooperative with MOCA and committed to acting responsibly to ensure the investigation is not compromised.

HEART NSTA/Trust added that no current employee is under investigation or was taken into custody.