The US citizen who allegedly attempted to smuggle US$50,400 out of the US into Jamaica in a suitcase was slapped with a $1 million fine when he appeared at St James Parish Court on Friday, April 28, 2023.

Kenardo Coke, age 30, a security guard of New Jersey, USA, was convicted in the St James Parish Court for concealment of criminal property and possession of criminal property on Friday, April 28, 2023.

The FID said agents found US$50,400 hidden in Coke’s suitcase at the check-out point at the Sangster International Airport on April 10, 2021.

The court has set a hearing for June 23 concerning the forfeiture of the cash under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Director of the FID, Keith Darien, said the cash seizure resulted from a corporation between the JCF, including MOCA and Customs.

“We are demonstrating to everyone that law enforcement agencies are committed to partnering to investigate and prosecute those who commit crime, and will work assiduously to remove the benefit of such criminality,” Mr. Darien said.

Keith Darien, Director of FID

Police Tie Union Gardens fatal shooting to Recent Gang Violence

The St. Andrew South Police have confirmed that the shooting death of Robert Rowe Junior, age 24, pig farmer of Union Garden, last Friday, April 28, 2023, in Union Garden is gang-related.

According to Senior Superintendent Kirk Ricketts, 

four people, including the deceased, lost their lives on the grounds of a church while service was in progress last Friday, April 28, 2023.

According to Mr. Ricketts, the shooters escaped in a motor car.

The police believe that Friday’s shooting incident was due to a flare-up of violence in the community between members of the ‘Rat Bat’ gang and the ‘Top Union gangs.

The community has been hampered by upsurged in gang violence in recent weeks.