FBI helps Local Police

Investigators into a money laundering case here have described the scam as "big". An informed source says the police are in search of persons based in the United States and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is assisting local police in apprehending those involved in the ring.

"A former police officer from Dominica now based in the United States is being sought on our behalf by the FBI," the source close to the investigations told the SUN.

He was not willing to go further in the matter but added that investigators are making "steady progress" and those involved in the money laundering ring in the US will "soon be arrested."

"They have leads and are doing their work… the Financial Intelligence Unit is right on top of the matter and the walls will soon come tumbling down with the help of the FBI," the source said.

About one week ago, Caroline Laronde, 17, of Delices who, it is reported, collected $94,896.08 was among six persons arrested and charged for money laundering, the police have said. The young lady was denied bail despite strong objections from defense counsel Gina Dyer-Munro after the prosecution led by State attorney in the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Clement Joseph objected to bail.

According to Police PRO, Inspector John Carbon, over $40,000 in cash and cheques have been recovered in transactions done by money transfer.

Raisa Alexander, 20, of Bath Estate who collected $16,129.20, was granted bail in the sum of $30,000 with her mother as surety while Vickson Williams, 20, of Delices who collected $90,393.41 and Bram Sanderson, 20, of Wesley residing at St. Aroment who collected $71,534.05 were each grated bail in the sum of EC$100,000.

However, the prosecution objected to bail for Stanley Casimir, 32, of Delices residing in Grand Bay and Kern Bruno, 20, of Delices who were charged for engaging in a transaction which involved $272,952.74. The police said they were the beneficiaries of the money they collected. The incident occurred between March 14 and April 8, 2013.

In another incident, Ellen Lawrence, 31, of Bath Road, Roseau, was also arrested and charged for money laundering by having a vehicle in her possession valued at $45,000 which, the police say, was derived from the proceeds of crime, which occurred between January 1, 2011 and November 5, 2012. She is now on EC$50,000 bail.