JAMAICA SEIZES $1bn IN ASSETS BOUGHT WITH SMUGGLED BULK CASH

For those who wonder just how widespread bulk cash smuggling is in the Caribbean, Jamaica's Assets Recovery Agency has taken legal action to seize $1bn in real estate, and motor vehicles, from Jamaican businesswoman Carol Lawrence-Austin, charged and alleged by the authorities to be a major money launderer for narcotics trafficking organisations. Eight properties have been named, and several motor vehicles.

You may recall Ms. Lawrence-Austin's sister, Jean Therese Brown, who was convicted*, in Baltimore, Maryland, of being the ringleader of a posse of bulk cash couriers who smuggled cash out of the US, and into Jamaica. Ms. Brown is presently serving a 37-month sentence for Bulk Cash Smuggling. Two of her couriers, who have not been named, are believed to be cooperating with authorities.

Relatives of Ms. Lawrence-Austin and Ms. Brown, also charged are:

(1) Mavis Grant
(2) Patrice Christie
(3) Gentles Mott
(4) Paula Barrett
(5) Eustan Gillespie

Dun's River Falls

______________________________________________________________________________
*United States vs. Brown,  Case No.: 10-cr-00420-WDQ (D MD).