The Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) says it has charged two of the three individuals arrested in Friday morning’s targeted operations in Montego Bay and Portmore.

The charges are in relation to a $17-million fraud investigation at the Human Employment and Resources Training/National Services Training Agency Trust (HEART/NSTA).

According to MOCA, Simoes Ellis, a former Heart/NSTA Trust employee of a Gregory Park, Portmore, address, and Kevina Atkins, another former employee and a resident of Salt Spring, St James, were both arrested and charged following the planned operation.

Ellis was charged with larceny as a servant, possession of criminal property, and conspiracy, while Atkins was charged with receiving stolen property, possession of criminal property, and conspiracy to defraud.

Both are to appear before the St James Parish Court on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.

The third person, said to be a family member of one of those charged, was taken into custody but not charged up to press time Friday.

According to MOCA’s Director of Communications Major Basil Jarrett, the operation was the result of the diligent and painstaking work by the agency’s investigators and demonstrates MOCA’s commitment to combating fraud and other financial crimes.

Jarrett said about 5:00 am Friday, MOCA teams, backed by members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, swarmed the two properties in search of a number of people suspected to be involved in the fraud under investigation.

According to Jarrett, one suspect was found and held at the Portmore location and the other two at their home in Montego Bay. He said a search of their respective premises turned up a number of evidential items which were subsequently seized.

In the meantime, the leadership of HEART/NSTA Trust was quick to point out that it had initiated the investigation at the entity.

In a mid-morning media release on Friday, the HEART/NSTA Trust said it called in MOCA based on an anomaly detected as a result of its robust internal system of governance during the 2018-2019 fiscal year.

“The current leadership of HEART/NSTA is aware of the ongoing investigation and remains cooperative with MOCA and remains committed to acting responsibly to ensure the investigation is not compromised. It is important to note that no current employee is under investigation or was taken into custody,” said the entity.

“We further advise that the Trust has a robust governance structure and strong leadership that allows us to do necessary checks and audits and uses this process to advise and invite any relevant agency to assist in investigations.

The leadership of the entity said it remains committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in all aspects of its operations.