FOUR ADDITIONAL JUTC EMPLOYEES ARRESTED AND CHARGED; ANTI-LOTTERY SCAM OPERATIONS INTENSIFY
Detectives assigned to the National Strategic Anti-Gang Division (NSAD) within the Specialised Investigations Branch (SIB) have charged four more Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) employees as part of an ongoing investigation into financial irregularities at the company.
Charged for Embezzlement and Failing to Issue Tickets are 31-year-old Kimanie Brown of Sandy Bay, Clarendon, 41-year-old Nikesha Bell of Red Hills Road, Kingston 19, 43-year-old Telbourth Frazer of Seaview Gardens, Kingston 11 and 53-year-old Lenford White of Chaple Street, St. Catherine.
Brown faces 11 counts, Bell 30 counts, Frazer 22 counts and White six counts of these offences.
Reports are that between March 10 and April 2, the employees, all drivers, allegedly collected bus fares without issuing receipts. The matter was reported to the police, prompting an investigation. This brings the total number of individuals charged in this investigation to 13.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Christopher Brown, head of the SIB, credited the arrests to the diligence of his team in apprehending those involved. “These arrests are direct results of deliberate and intentional policing, having a dedicated and highly skilled team, effective partnerships and notably, the crucial support that we have been receiving from our citizens. The SIB remains committed to excellence in the pursuit of justice,” said SSP Brown.
Simultaneously, SIB has also intensified anti-lottery scamming efforts through a series of operations in St. Thomas.
Four individuals have been taken into custody for breaches of the Law Reform (Special Provisions) (Fraudulent Conversion) Act. The police seized over JM$950,000 in cash, a Mercedes-Benz and several debit cards.
The identities of those in custody are being withheld pending further investigations.
