MONTEGO BAY, St James — Customs officials have signalled their intention to move to confiscate US$45,000 (about $7 million) that was allegedly hidden in an envelope and undeclared by Robert Tong when he arrived in Jamaica on a flight from the US earlier this year.

In the St James Parish Court last Wednesday, the investigating officer said Customs has indicated that an application will be made to the court for the money to be forfeited to the Crown. The investigating officer also refuted Tong’s assertion, made during a previous court appearance, that he had provided documentation to establish the source of the funds and customs officers were in discussions with him about returning the money. According to the investigating officer, he made enquiries and was informed by customs officers that no such discussion had taken place with Tong.

Represented by attorney Henry McCurdy, Tong is charged with possession of criminal property. When given an opportunity to address the court, he insisted that bank statements and annual statements related to a trust fund are evidence of the source of the funds, and proof that the US$45,000 belongs to him.

“They are not anybody else’s; they are only from my account, and I showed that to them,” Tong told Judge Fairclough-Hylton, who then outlined the allegations made by the investigating officer.

The evidence outlined painted a picture of a calculated attempt to deceive.

“What the officers are also saying is that when they checked your phone there were conversations between yourself and other persons indicating that you were to bring this money to Jamaica, the excuses that you were supposed to give if you were questioned by customs officers and how to conceal this money coming into Jamaica. On that basis, the authorities are of the view that that money was criminal property and that you were transporting that money from a place outside of Jamaica into Jamaica and you did not report this money to the relevant authorities on your declaration form,” the judge said.

During the proceedings, the court was also informed that a report from the Communication, Forensics and Cybercrime Division (CFCD) remained outstanding. The judge subsequently asked the investigating officer whether he had taken screenshots of the conversations found on Tong’s phone. The officer said he had not.

Judge Fairclough-Hylton then enquired whether it was possible to obtain a preliminary report from the CFCD concerning the conversations on the device. The officer said he would make enquiries.

The judge set November 11 for a short case management hearing and extended Tong’s bail.

As outlined during a previous court appearance, Tong arrived in Jamaica on a flight from Miami with US$45,000, which he allegedly failed to declare to customs officers. The money was reportedly concealed in an envelope. By law, sums exceeding US$10,000 must be declared by anyone entering Jamaica.

Tong reportedly told the authorities that the funds represented his savings and that he had brought the money to Jamaica for a property-related purpose. However, he was allegedly unable to provide sufficient documentation to account for his possession of the funds.

His cellular phone was also seized, and conversations were reportedly found on the device between Tong and another man concerning the transfer of money on several occasions. The exchanges allegedly included discussions about bringing money to Jamaica and instructions on how to receive the funds.

The cash was subsequently seized, and Tong was arrested and charged.

Under caution, Tong allegedly told the authorities: “My money is legit, it is from my trust.”