A St. Andrew businessman whose lifestyle was allegedly financed in part by the unlawful sale of bleaching cream was ordered to pay over 6.4 million dollars to government.

The Financial Investigations Division, FID, secured the multi-million-dollar penalty, against Chee Chung, for the benefits he allegedly derived from the unlawful sale of the products in the Supreme Court on March 23, under the Proceeds of Crime Act, POCA.

Reports are that in 2017, Mr. Chung, was charged with unlawful possession of a quantity of bleaching cream’, stored for sale, contrary to section 26 of the Pharmacy Act.

The products contained substances which are classified as ‘List Two and List Four drugs, or prescription drugs’ and would require a medical doctor’s authorization, before use.

Mr. Chung represented by King’s Counsel Peter Champagnie was also charged with Breaches of the Customs and Food and Drugs Acts.

On October 5, 2018, he was convicted for breaches of the Pharmacy Act.

However, a verdict of not guilty was returned on the charges related to Breaches of the Customs and Food and Drugs Acts.

The FID successfully made an application to the Supreme Court, for Mr. Chung to be committed for consideration, of a forfeiture or Pecuniary Penalty Order, PPO pursuant, to section 5 of the Proceeds of Crime Act.

The FID presented evidence, proving that Mr. Chung’s lifestyle was in part financed by the unlawful sale of the products.

He did not contest the charges and was co-operative throughout the trial.

This, along with other factors, resulted in the order being granted last month.

Principal Director of Investigations, at the FID Keith Darien said this approval shows the strength of POCA.