Canadian National Pays 5,000 Barbados Dollars Fine, Then Forfeits US$15,000

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, February 14, 2019 (CMC) – A 63-year-old Canadian national was fined BDS$5,000, after he pleaded guilty to attempting to leave the island with US$15,000, without the permission of the Exchange Control Authority.

Magistrate, Laurie-Ann Smith-Bovell, had also given Claude Samard of Quebec an alternative three month in jail if the fine was not paid, forthwith.

The court heard that Samard was caught with the United States currency at the Grantley Adams International Airport, on February 9. He had concealed the money on different parts of his body, including his underwear and pockets.

The court heard that the Canadian had sold some shares he had in a company, here, but failed to seek permission from the Central Bank of Barbados to leave the island with the funds.

The prosecution said that Samard was familiar with the procedure for leaving the island with large sums of cash, but chose not to follow it.

Following his guilty plea, Samard was also informed that he had to forfeit the US$15,000.