Two men who attempted to travel to Curaçao, from Jamaica separately with a total of 18.3 million dollars have been convicted.

The convictions were secured through a partnership between the Jamaica Customs Agency JCA, and the Financial Investigations Division, FID.

The agencies reported that one passenger declared US$64,408 to customs officers and stated that the funds were received from a Montego Bay-based wholesale for goods supplied by his Curaçao-based company. 

Two days later, another traveller heading to the same destination, accompanied by a minor, declared US$50,000 claiming it had been collected from the same Montego Bay establishment in relation to goods supplied to them by the foreign company. 

Both men were referred to the fid and charged under the Proceeds of Crime Act, POCA.

They were brought before the court. 

Both pleaded guilty and were fined $200,000.

In a press release, the JCA and FID said the results follow stepped-up enforcement of regulations governing cross-border movement of money.

Director of Investigation at Jamaica Customs, Cassell Dunkley said while carrying cash across borders is not illegal, travellers must declare any amount over US$10,000 or its equivalent.

For his part, FID’s Principal Director of Investigations Keith Darien, said the outcome highlights effective interagency coordination and the importance of using regulated financial channels.