CASTRIES, St. Lucia, Mar. 31, (CMC) – A Venezuelan national, today, became the first individual to be convicted, here, for money laundering.
The police report that Reglio Jesus Patino Reyes was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, after being formally charged with the crime, during an appearance in Court last Tuesday.
He was arrested when Police conducted a search at a hotel in the northern end of the island, on December 4, and discovered a quantity of foreign currency in his possession.
It was revealed that the Venezuelan national had sums of USD$7,610.00, EURO €17,950.00, Bolivars VEF 4,020.00 , six dollars in Chinese currency (CNY 6) and EC$5.00.
Reyes was taken to hospital, where on taking a laxative, resulted in the expulsion of an additional 31 rolls of cash amounting to EURO €14,000.