St Elizabeth man charged for allegedly smuggling US$270,000 hidden in soap boxes

A St Elizabeth businessman has been arrested and charged for allegedly attempting to smuggle more than US$270,000 hidden inside boxes of bath soap in his luggage at Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, St James.

Shawn Walker, 34, of Crawford district, is charged with possession of criminal property, concealment of criminal property, and failure to report to the designated authority the transportation of cash into or out of Jamaica.

The Financial Investigations Division (FID) reports that Walker arrived on the island aboard a United Airlines flight from New Jersey on June 7 when personnel from the Jamaica Customs Agency became suspicious of items in his luggage during routine checks.

A search of the luggage reportedly led to the discovery of 28 sealed boxes of bath soap containing large sums of United States currency.

The cash was counted and amounted to US$270,580.

According to investigators, Walker was unable to provide satisfactory proof that the money had been lawfully obtained.

A question-and-answer session was conducted by members of the Constabulary Financial Unit on Monday in the presence of his attorney, Donnovan Collins.

Walker was subsequently charged.

He has since been remanded and is scheduled to appear in the St James Parish Court on June 16.

Keith Darien, principal director of financial crimes investigations at the FID, said the seizure highlighted the importance of vigilance at the country's ports of entry and cooperation among agencies tasked with tackling financial crimes.

He said the division remains committed to protecting Jamaica's financial system from abuse and urged travellers and businesses to comply with cash declaration requirements.

Cassell Dunkley, director of investigations at the Jamaica Customs Agency, added that the seizure underscored the importance of collaboration between law enforcement and border security agencies.

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