NORMAN GRINDLEY/DEPUTY CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
The house that slain 'Clansman' head Donavan 'Bulbie' Bennett built in Tanaky district Rock River, Clarendon.
Law coming to allow checks of questionable wealth
Deputy Commissioner in charge of crime, Mark Shields, is anticipating the enactment of the Proceeds of Crime Bill, which will empower law enforcement agencies to confiscate the ill-gotten gains of criminal enterprises.
"If you have a huge house, an Escalade and a Prado (motor vehicles) and no visible means of income, then this legislation will allow us to inquire into that wealth," DCP Shields told The Sunday Gleaner. "The Proceeds of Crime Bill," he noted "shifts the burden of proof from the prosecution to the defence."
This is the intent of the Government, as explained by National Security Minister Dr. Peter Phillips in the introductory remarks printed in the bill, which is currently being reviewed by a joint select committee of Parlia-ment. He noted that organised crime was structured as an
"ongoing business, not a 'one-off' operation. Typically, therefore, the assets accumulated over time by a person engaged in serious crime are a product of his general career in illegal activity."
Since the commencement of Operation Kingfish in October 2004, as well as other subsequent initiatives, local law enforcement authorities have stepped up the prosecution of major players in criminal enterprise. These include:
Life imprisonment for Kevin 'Richie Poo' Tyndale.
Arrest of Donald 'Zekes' Phipps.
Arrest of Jason Brown of the 'Clansman' gang.
Arrest of Ricardo Gordon of the 'One Order' gang.
Police killing of Donovan 'Bulbie' Bennett.
In addition, several alleged drug dealers, Leebert Ramcharan, Donovan 'Plucky' Williams and Norris 'Deedo' Nembhard, are trying to have the court set aside their extradition orders to the United States for trial.
"I've always said to go after a successful organised crime figure by attacking their pocket rather than catching them with their hands on a gun," said DCP Shields.
"In the United Kingdom, we can confiscate a sum of £10,000 (J$1.4 million) or more in cash. You will have to prove it is
legitimate, how you came by that money," added DCP Shields, who is formerly from the Metropolitan Police in the U.K.
