KINGSTON, Jamaica — A St Andrew businessman is to forfeit $23 million to the Government following a successful court application by the Financial Investigations Division (FID).

The matter, which was heard in the Corporate Area Parish Court Civil Division), stemmed from the 2013 robbery of a Swiss Store in downtown Kingston. According to police reports, a gunman walked into the store, which is located at the intersection of Church and Harbour streets, and made off with several high-end watches valued at over $7 million.

The businessman, Donald Ho, and a former Jamaica Labour Party mayor were arrested by cops from the Flying Squad in connection with the incident.

READ: Former mayor arrested for Swiss Stores heist

Cash in the sum of J$658,500, US$150,955.00, £71 and CAN$85 was seized during a police operation at Ho’s premises in 2013. He was charged with receiving stolen goods and illegal possession of a firearm.

In commenting on the matter, the FID’s director of Legal Service, Courtney Smith, said that although the case took a long time to come to a closure, the police worked tirelessly on the matter as it is their duty to “pursue the proceeds of crime wherever it may be, whomever may have it and however long it may take.”

“This particular case shows the united resolve of the FID and our partner institutions, including the Jamaica Constabulary Force. The police officers and the legal team at the FID worked tirelessly to ensure that all the evidence was in place and all the evidence was presented to the Court to assist the Court in making this just decision,” he continued.