$1.5m and motor car surrendered in drug-linked asset recovery case - FID

The Financial Investigations Division (FID) says it has secured a cash settlement of $1.5 million and the surrender of a motor car as part of ongoing asset-recovery proceedings stemming from a drug-trafficking case in Manchester.

The settlement follows an incident on July 25, 2024, when officers from the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Firearm and Narcotics Investigation Division intercepted the 2013 Toyota Corolla Axio being driven by Mahlon Davis near Hatfield, Manchester, a statement said Friday. A highway patrol team participated in the operation.

During a search, authorities reportedly found packaged vegetable matter resembling cannabis and two concealed rectangular parcels marked 'NASA' containing substances resembling cocaine.

Davis later appeared in the Manchester Parish Court and was convicted of multiple offences under the Dangerous Drugs Act, including trafficking and possession of ganja and cocaine.

He was fined $105,816 or six months’ imprisonment for trafficking ganja; $15,000 or six months for possession of ganja; $500,000 and four months’ imprisonment (suspended for two years) for trafficking cocaine; and $500,000 or six months for possession of cocaine.

Following the criminal proceedings, the case moved to the Manchester Circuit Court for a hearing under Section 5 of the Proceeds of Crime Act, concerning forfeiture and pecuniary penalties. A Statement of Information filed on January 8, 2026, assessed the total benefit of the criminal conduct at $5.1 million.

As part of the settlement, Davis agreed to pay $1,500,000 via a manager’s cheque made payable to the Accountant General’s Department and to surrender the Toyota Corolla Axio free of obligations, with the certificate of title endorsed to the FID.

The FID said the settlement also required him to pay the estimated outstanding loan balance of $98,000 plus any accrued interest to the financial institution associated with the vehicle’s purchase.

The court further endorsed an order directing the commanding officer at the Firearm and Narcotics Investigation Division station in Mandeville to hand over the vehicle to the enforcing authority once the formal order is served.

“This outcome reinforces the principle that criminal conduct must not be allowed to generate lasting benefit. Through the Proceeds of Crime framework, we continue to pursue recovery action that is lawful, evidence-based, and focused on disrupting criminal enterprise, while ensuring that proceeds and assets linked to offending are addressed through due process," said Courtney Smith, the FID’s director of legal services.

Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.