WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — A taxi operator was on Monday charged by detectives from the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) with breaching of the Corruption Prevention Act.

According to MOCA reports, police personnel seized a vessel along the shoreline of Little Baby Beach in Westmoreland on October 3.

It is alleged that the taxi driver, identified as 45-year-old Joseph Nickle, later in October, visited the Negril Police Station with documents for the vessel claiming to be the owner.

MOCA said upon inspection of the documents presented, the authenticity of the documents was questioned and Nickle then allegedly offered a police sergeant $100,000 in order for him to avoid prosecution and the release of the vessel.

Subsequent to making arrangements for the payment transaction, the sergeant reported the matter to MOCA, which led to detectives conducting an operation resulting in the Nickle’s arrest last Friday after he handed over the money to the policeman.  

He was later interviewed in the presence of his attorney following which he was charged.

Nickel will appear in the Westmoreland Parish Court next Tuesday.