Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter
MEMBERS OF Operation Kingfish and a detachment from Scotland Yard - the British Intelligence Agency - swooped down on several posh residence in upscale St. Andrew on Tuesday, searching for vital pieces of evidences to conclude their investigations into a multimillion dollar money laundering racket.
The joint operation took the lawmen to several houses in Forest Hills, Wavel Avenue and Manor Park in St. Andrew. The premises of a prominent car dealer in Montego Bay, St. James, were also searched.
CONVICTED
Reports are that the team of investigators is conducting a massive financial investigation, with a view to seizing the assets and the millions of pounds that Owen 'Father Fowl' Clarke, the reputed leader of the notorious 'British Link Up Crew', made from drug related activities in the United Kingdom.
Clarke was convicted in June of this year in the United Kingdom on three offences contrary to the misuse of the 1971 Drug Act. He is among five other Jamaican nationals whose assets are being targeted by Operation Kingfish.
Clarke, who was sentenced to 13 years' imprisonment, has also been implicated in a major money laundering racket.
Further reports are that five Scotland Yard detectives, who were involved in the preliminary stages of the investigation, arrived in the island on Monday to assist Operation Kingfish in going after the assets of Clarke.
"These officers are only assisting the local detectives with the investigations," said Assistant Commissioner Glenmore Hinds, head of Operation Kingfish.
UNEARTHED EVIDENCE
So far, the police have seized several crucial documents linking Clarke to at least three of the premises. The police have also unearthed evidence suggesting that he owns and has transacted business in relation to the premises searched. In addition, the investigators seized thousands of U.S. dollars, British pounds and Jamaican dollars.
"We are going after his assets," said Sergeant Steve Brown, the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN) liason officer, based at Operation Kingfish.
But as the investigation continues, the police believe that several more prominent persons are likely to become implicated.
In the case of the prominent car dealer, the police believe he imported three high profile vehicles for Clarke, which valued £200,000 or $23.66 million.
Further allegations are that Clarke imported 20 other posh vehicles, each valued at $5.9 million. The police said that this is one way in which Clarke laundered his money, by using legitimate persons to assist him.
