KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Ministry of National Security said it has formally reported O’Brien’s International Car Sales and Rental Limited to the Fraud Squad of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) for failure to supply 200 pre-owned vehicles to the constabulary.

The ministry in a release today said it has handed over all relevant documents to the authorities to pursue the matter.

O’Brien’s was in January 2017 awarded a $426.9-million contract to supply 200 pre-owned motor vehicles for the police force. The Government paid the car dealer $213 million of the contract sum; however, only 30 of the vehicles — amounting to $46 million — were delivered in June after the 90-day delivery period had expired.

The contractor had also posted a $42-million performance bond, of which the ministry today informed that it has received proceeds and is actively pursuing the proceeds of the advanced payment guarantee.

Robert Montague, who was national security minister at the time, said today that: “The ministry in its dealings did all that was required. The contractor failed to perform. The handing over of the matter to the Fraud Squad should be taken seriously by all contractors and should bring to bear the importance of performing on a contract.

“ I want to reiterate that at no point was a cent of Jamaica’s tax dollars at risk as these monies were protected by bonds, one of which we have already received and are in advanced discussions regarding the other.”