BASSETERRE, ST. Kitts - THE Commissioner of Police in Trinidad and Tobago, Gary Griffith, has pushed his officers to launch a probe into how $22M was confiscated in a raid and was returned to its owners without the knowledge of the top brass.
Following the execution of a warrant in Kathleen Warner Drive, Phase I, La Horquetta, Trinidad, police found the money and other items relating to an alleged Ponzi Scheme.
Police seized the money and an investigation was subsequently launched.
CoP Griffith, according to the TTPS, said preliminary investigations show that the money was handed back to the operator of the Scheme this morning (Sept. 23) without his knowledge and that of his Deputy Commissioners.
The CoP found it to be “suspicious” that $22 million in cash was seized and within hours the money was checked and a decision made to give it back without the input of the Financial Intelligence Bureau (FIB) of the TTPS.
According to the Top Cop, investigators said that upon completion of the investigation a determination would be made if any criminal or disciplinary action would be taken against any police officer.
“The money was handed back without a proper investigation to determine whether any of it was counterfeit,” Griffith said.
He also said that no proper investigation was done as to the source of those funds or whether the person or persons involved had committed any criminal act.
As part of the investigation, the CoP said external forensic personnel would be brought in to determine if any of the money was counterfeit.
Griffith noted that he is aware that there is a concern that a number of persons invested their hard-earned money and are hoping to cash in on the alleged Pyramid Scheme.
He gave the assurance that once those persons could prove that their money was legitimate, the TTPS would ensure that their money is returned to them in the shortest possible time.
Diligent inquiries are being pursued at this time.
