By Ashford W. Meikle, Staff ReporterTHE Financial Gleaner has learned that Commissioner of the Financial Investigation Division (FID) of the Ministry of Finance, Mike Surridge, has signed a one-year extension contract with the government in that post.
Mr. Surridge has headed the department (formerly Revenue Protection Division) since 1989 when he was first invited to assume the post by former Prime Minister Michael Manley. The aim then was to establish a modern, well-equipped investigative arm with specially trained agents to aggressively target tax dodgers and contraband importers and evaders of customs duties.
Speaking with the Financial Gleaner, Mr. Surridge said that in the coming year he hoped to concentrate on assisting the police in profiling narcotic dealers with the ultimate aim being to seize their assets. Surridge pointed out that his department has a well-equipped IT Division, will be working closely with Scotland Yard and U.S. authorities to target drug dealers and traffickers.
Mr. Surridge said that contrary to reports carried elsewhere in the media, he had never expressed dissatisfaction with his job. Insisting that he was misquoted and misinterpreted, Surridge reiterated his love for the job and Jamaica. He lauded his staff saying he was very proud of the job they have done so far.
Speaking with the Financial Gleaner last night, Mr. Surridge said: "We will continue to focus on fraud where it has a significant impact on our economy and we will investigate revenue breaches and revenue fraud. I guess that I will have to put my golf clubs down for a little while longer."
