UP TO late yesterday evening, police officers from Operation Kingfish were still questioning a customs broker who had been taken into custody Friday night in connection with the seizure of two luxury vehicles.The police suspect that the vehicles, a Mercedes Benz SUV and a Chevy Escalade truck, were stolen in the United States and shipped to Jamaica as part of an international car-stealing ring.
The Benz was seized from premises in Westmeade Housing Scheme in Portmore, St. Catherine, while the Escalade was taken from Bridgeview, another Portmore community.
A quantity of money in United States and Jamaican currency was also seized in the raids.
The 32-year-old customs broker is employed to a firm in New Kingston.
Sources told The Sunday Gleaner that two weeks ago, police in Atlanta, Georgia, made a similar arrest in connection with the international ring.
SURVEILLANCE
The police disclosed that the customs broker's house in Portmore had been under surveillance for some time.
The police also disclosed that the customs broker is suspected of being part of an organised drug and money laundering ring operating out of the United States.
Police data indicate that in 2004, some 240 stolen cars were recovered, nearly 30 of which were vehicles stolen in the United States and shipped to Jamaica. Among those stolen were SUVs, Benzs and other luxury vehicles. Data were not available for 2005.
