Two charged over seizure of US$70,000 at Kingston airport

Two Jamaicans who arrived here from the Turks and Caicos Islands last week have been charged over the seizure of US$70,000 cash allegedly concealed among hair products in their luggage. 

The seizure was made at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston on March 12.

The accused are 44-year-old mason Deno Baker, from Bodles Crescent, Old Harbour in St Catherine and 34-year-old Randy-Kay Blair, a cosmologist from Harrison Town in St. Ann, the police say. 

Baker and Blair were charged with possession of criminal property, cross-border movement of funds, bringing criminal property into Jamaica, concealing criminal property, and conspiracy to bring criminals into Jamaica.

Reports are that about 5:40 p.m., Barker and Blair arrived at the airport on a flight from Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos.

The police alleged that during security procedures anomalies were observed in both their luggage.

A search was conducted of their luggage, which led to the discovery that  US$39,828 and US$30,460 were found inside Baker and Blair's luggage, respectively. 

The police say the monies were found concealed in jars with hair products.

Baker and Blair were subsequently taken into custody.

They were charged on Friday by detectives assigned to the Narcotics Division police division. 

They are scheduled to appear before the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on March 21. 

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