NASSAU, Bahamas, CMC – A magistrate has ordered the forfeiture of US$15,610 from a male passenger who claimed that he had been given an envelope to deliver to a stranger, who told him to call the number on the envelope, as he travelled from New Providence to Eleuthera on December 5, 2023.
Senior Magistrate Anishka Isaacs ordered the forfeiture of funds, saying she was satisfied that it was derived from the proceeds of unlawful conduct or intended to be used for illegal conduct.
The court heard that Annison François told police an unknown man gave him an envelope containing the money, but that he was detained after security screeners noticed a suspicious package in his carry-on bag.
He was arrested after police found him in possession of US$19,650. The prosecution said that the police were able to trace the origin of US$4,040 of the amount during a subsequent investigation.
Regarding the $15,650 balance, police said that François did not claim ownership, but said it had been handed to him by a stranger, who told him to call the number on the envelope. But the police said they called the number several times, and no one ever answered.
The court was also told no one came forward to claim the money.
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