A net for all criminals
published: Monday | June 14, 2004

THE EDITOR, Sir:

THE SEIZURE of property of drug merchants under the Drug Offences Act is a wise and meaningful step in the fight against crime locally. However, it seems to me that other similar acts need to be introduced so that property gained through white collar fraud and other illegal means can also be seized.

Focusing narrowly upon the players in the illegal drug trade where seizure of property and assets are concerned will not serve to make the sort of national impact on crime that could be realised if all sectors of the society were sought and penalised in a similar fashion. White collar crimes take place on a regular basis across Jamaica, involving millions of dollars. White collar criminals escape the teeth of the law in many instances because their professional status serves as a legal front and/or a barrier for their illegal activities.

Additionally, their connections in high places allows such individuals to go unscathed by the weight of the law. In casting a net for the drug kingpins, the JCF must do likewise for the 'dons' in all sectors of the economy.

I am, etc.,

PATRICK A. GALLIMORE

pagalley@hotmail.com

Kingston

Jamaica