Venezuelan Convicted In St. Lucia’s First Case Of Money Laundering

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.