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A convicted Jamaican drug kingpin has lost his appeal to stop the forfeiture of assets worth more than $500 million.
On Friday, November 11, 2022, Jamaica’s Court of Appeal disallowed the application by lawyers representing Andrew Hamilton. Hamilton was seeking an injunction allowing him time to challenge a forfeiture order handed down by the Supreme Court in July, which required him to hand over the assets to the government.
Unfortunately, the order gives the government the power to confiscate properties belonging to Hamilton, his partners, and his family, including his aged mother. The properties are listed as 14 multi-million dollar homes, four motor vehicles, 4 bulldozers, 1 fishing vessel valued at $19 million, and a bank account with $19 million.
The forfeiture is the most significant order implemented by the Financial Investigations Division. The Financial Investigations Division was established to enforce Jamaica’s proceeds of the Crime Act. The legislation was crafted specifically to deprive criminals of illegal enrichment. The POCA, which governs forfeiture orders, took effect on May 30, 2007.
The homes are listed as a penthouse suite and 2 apartments in the gated complex of Norbrook Ritz, located in the upper-class section of Norbrook, St Andrew. And 6 flats in the Monte Carlo Isle gated complex, also located in St Andrew. And 1 mansion in Ironshore, St James.
The Gleaner’s examination of court records revealed that Hamilton purchased five of the Monte Carlo Isle apartments. Two Norbrook homes’ lots were purchased over seven days in June 2008. the costs are listed as J$61 million and US$300,000.
The other units were acquired two days apart in March 2008.
Hamilton is a former member of the JCF and a postal worker. He is suspected of having amassed $1 billion in assets.
In 2012 US authorities arrested Hamilton in California for conspiracy to deal in ganja and money laundering. He pleaded guilty in 2014 and was sentenced to four years in prison.
In 2016 the JCF arrested Hamilton and some members of his family for money laundering charges. The case is still active.