![money](https://antiguanewsroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/money.jpeg)
REAL NEWS: The Police have launched an internal investigation into the disappearance of over $21,000 in cash that had been in the custody of a female officer.
Reports say the money was confiscated because the Police believed it to be ill-gotten gains.
As a result of the seizure, the accused person has to appear before the Court to prove that the money was obtained legally and is not the proceeds of crime.
However, a source tells REAL News that when the forfeiture matter came up for trial last week in the All Saints Magistrates Court, the money – an exhibit in the case – could not be presented.
It is alleged that, while giving evidence, the investigating officer could not produce the EC$18,000 and US$1,500 that had been taken from the accused.
It appears that she had misplaced the funds and could not remember what she had done with the sum of money. When she was questioned about it, the source says, the officer reportedly gave the Court various excuses and attempted to implicate the now-suspended Chief Magistrate in the matter.
If they are not ready to proceed with a case, the Police cannot keep large sums that are exhibits without receiving permission to hold onto the money until trial. And, according to the source, in most cases a continued detention would be granted for three months at a time.
Reports say the case is a District B matter; and, at one point, it had gone before Chief Magistrate Joanne Walsh since Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel was on leave. Walsh reportedly had granted the continued detention for three months. In requesting further detention of the money, the source explains, the Court has to be satisfied with the reasons given by the Police, and the officer, therefore, would have to swear an affidavit. This means that the money would have remained in the custody of the Police and not the Court. However, it is alleged that Magistrate Emanuel failed to take this information into account.
Reports say the female investigator also attempted to blame two other prosecutors, one of whom was before Magistrate Conliffe Clarke when the matter first went before the All Saints Court. It was, indeed, another prosecutor who dealt with the matter at that time, and her name is on the report that accompanies the case files. However, since the matter was adjourned, the case did not begin with that officer, and she would not have had possession of the money. Reports say this prosecutor is currently off-island. But she allegedly has claimed she never received the money, nor does she have any knowledge of what the investigator might have done with it. Interestingly, it is alleged that the investigator, at some point earlier, had signed out the cash from the Exhibit Room; however, there is no record of her returning the money. Having been notified of the baffling situation, Superintendent Lisborn Michael – the officer in charge of the Criminal Investigations Department – reportedly has initiated a probe. Sources claim he has appointed an inspector to investigate the disappearance of the money. Meanwhile, they also allege that Magistrate Emanuel is threatening to throw out the case if the cash exhibit is not presented to the Court on the date of the next hearing. And without the exhibit the case cannot proceed.
If the Court had ruled that the cash be forfeited to the State, it would have gone into the Treasury or Consolidated Fund. But if the magistrate tosses the case, what is likely to happen is that the Police will have to find the cash to return to the accused person.
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LOL! People misplacing EC$21,000 in these hard times. Her brains may not be working to well to make such a blunder. This is the height of incompetence.
I’ve lost a little $10 and $20 here and there but $21,000 not getting away from me I can assure you.
Some incompetents and thieves are working within the government. It is easier to steal from operating within the government than within the private sector. The government sector shuffles too much paperwork, whereas the private sector uses more computerized data entry and less paperwork. The officer is saying if the “Top Dog” and his cronies are enriching themselvesves so why not me too. The officer wants a mansion on the hill with a pool.
What about the over three million dollars fraud case at customs.
https://antiguaobserver.com/police-asked-to-investigate-3-million-in-missing-customs-revenue/
The Bossman there said he knew who and how it was done
EC $21,000 gone missing from the police, 3 million from customs revenue and untold tax payers money “allegedly” misappropriated from the treasury for self-enrichment schemes.
No wonder Antigua BRUK!!!
NOTHING NEW
The 💉 ah work boy…..Have noticed alot of persons not remembering what they did or what they said.
“Enrich yourselves!” For some people in Antigua it’s by any means necessary.
This sounds so stupid! I’m just waiting to see who gets arrested for stealing this money, cause we all know that it wasn’t misplaced.
This sounds like a case of the Dog ate my homework
Money DEAD NF!!!
Not the first time money or evidence have vanished from police custody in antigua. Just like the thieving at their credit union, this will also be swept under the carpet.
This occurred. which only justifies my recommendation that there be a special unit charge with certain matters that may be separate from the typical police force. this unit, the intelligence and national security unit. deals with data collecting, analysis, and national security matters.
However, on this point, proceedings pertaining to the source of funds are so basic that these matters should be swiftly disposed of that any delay from the government’s fault should immediately result in dismissal for speedy trial/constitutional rights violation.
it is just too simple, and the amount relatively small to linger beyond the first trial date without good cause (theft or misplacement by the government) are not good causes. speedy trial violation, matter is dismissed, and funds must be returned to defendant immediately or contempt of court, fines/interest daily added to the amount defendant will collect.
https://antiguanewsroom.com/police-officer-misplaces-21000-seized-as-evidence/
If this wasn’t so serious I would laugh. This person should have been immediately arrested and charged.
Maybe ,,that
LIMITED STATE OF EMERGENCY,,Mr.TopCop was pleading for,,can be applied to the Police force?
No?
I did see the money in a bundle running down the street last week.I tried my very fastest to run it down.However,it was much too fast for me to catch.Perhaps if I had on my running shoes it would have been different.Good luck to the person the money belongs to.Chances are you would not see a penny of it.Maybe dem spen um aff.
“I did see the money in a bundle 💰 running down the street last week. I tried my very fastest 🏃🏾 to run it down”
Now that made me laugh @ Black Man 😂😂😂
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