Taxpayers will have to refund accused man’s $21k, as money seized in dismissed forfeiture case has vanished

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State Insurance Treasury Building

Source Real News: It appears that taxpayers will have to refund money that was
suspected of being gained through illicit means, as the funds seized
in a forfeiture case have gone missing – while the matter, itself, has
been thrown out of court.

Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel had threatened to dismiss the case after
the Police were unable to produce the more than $21,000 in cash
that was confiscated from a man allegedly caught with marijuana.
Allegedly, lawmen also found the accused with EC$18,000 and
US$1,500.

Officers suspected that these funds had been earned through illicit
activity, and therefore sought to have the Court confiscate the funds
through forfeiture.

When the matter was initially called, the monies were present in
court but the matter had to be adjourned.

Since that first occasion, however, the monies have not been seen,
and the investigator and the prosecutor have been unable to give
account for the missing funds.

Blame was laid on a female prosecutor who, it turned out, had had
nothing to do with the case.

It was alleged that the investigator had left the money with the
prosecutor after a previous court outing, instead of signing it back
in.

That prosecutor had been off island for some time, but has since
returned to the country and is back on duty.

However, because of the reported close links between the female
officer and a senior officer, it is alleged that an internal investigation
into the missing funds – started in August 2023 – was halted.

Now that the matter has been thrown out and taxpayers will be
responsible for paying back the sum, pundits are wondering
whether the probe will recommence and those responsible for the
money’s disappearance will be held accountable.

Had the accused been convicted, however, the forfeited sums would
have gone into the Consolidated Fund.

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13 COMMENTS

  2. Would anyone,put a Rat to watch cheese or ham? Knowing what would happen if they did that.Cheese and Ham would be garne before you shut you eyes.This matter should be fully investigated by an independent outside body,not the Police.Let the chit falls where ever the evidence leads,maybe into Hotel 1735.

  3. Tax payers again let all who was there at the time of the trial pay back the money…to wicket to are we tax payers now man…we still waiting on our back cause the little penny u claimed to have given us u still took 4% out of it ..

  4. And we really have to pay back money that was OBVIOUSLY stolen and divided among those responsible?? Let them pay it back!!!

  5. Utterly outrageous! I pay more than enough taxes already – and I’ve just looked at my records and receipts for the recent increase of 17% -, and now this wastage!!!

    Those of us (with the skillset) who can sell up their businesses, homes and land will do so in the not too distant future.

    Carry-on wasting our taxes ABLP.

    YOU ARE IN THE LAST CHANCE SALOON …

  7. Note to all taxpayers.
    When have you made a case for better governance? Certainly not with this government.
    Don’t tell and squeal about this incident; for you are the very ones who enable these dishonest incompetent people in place.

  8. We are living in some real serious times in this island called Antigua.The Police Officer that claim that he misplaced the funds needs to get a Loan and repay the funds.The Police force is full of criminals and thieves.The entire Country is full of Corruption from the Government come right down.JUSTICE IS CRYING OUT IN THE STREETS.Too much Wickedness is taking place in this Country.No body Fear GOD any More?

  9. Not a shitting shit! Me done nar get paid enough fa feed ma self and pay rent. Plus, I can’t recall getting half of that money sent to my account so, each of the ministers will take this one for the team.

  10. Everybody in a little position of power in Antigua is getting their hands greased to rartid,lol, what a system these people have perpetrated on the people of Antigua to backside.

    I warned y’all. 😂. Those who are supposed to catch and prosecute the criminals, are slimy criminals themselves.

    What a thing..

    There is nothing worse than a slimy thief to backside..and these power positions in Antigua are filled with a bunch of slimy thieves.

    These police and prosecutors are in on the corruption in Antigua, because they see the boss getting his, so they say, let me get mines too.. 😂. What a damn shame..woi!!!

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