KINGSTON, Jamaica— The Financial Investigations Division (FID) says it has secured approximately J$1 billion in forfeiture and pecuniary penalty orders against drug traffickers and lottery scammers over the period June 2020 to August 2024.

FID disclosed that through 25 narcotics-related cases and 17 lottery scamming cases, investigators uncovered substantial financial benefits derived from criminal activities, totalling J$801 million and US$112,600 for drug trafficking; and J$331 million and US$347,492 for lottery scamming activities.

It added that during the four-year period, the court tried eight narcotics-related matters, resulting in forfeiture or pecuniary penalty orders being granted against the defendants, in the amounts of J$892,855,679.

Meanwhile, the court settled seven lottery scamming matters resulting in forfeiture or pecuniary penalty orders being granted against the defendants, in the amounts of J$31,824,550 and US$71,230, FID said.

The financial investigators added that their achievements must be credited to local and international collaboration with the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) and the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Counter Terrorism & Organised Crime Investigations Branch (CTOC) and the Major Organised Crime Agency (MOCA), as well as the United States Postal Inspection Service and the US Drug Enforcement Administration.

The FID said working with the law enforcement agencies “has strengthened its capacity to dismantle cross-border criminal networks, track illicit financial flows, and deprive law breakers of their ill-gotten gains.”

Keith Darien, principal director of the Financial Crimes Investigations Branch praised the collaborative efforts of local and international law enforcement groups with the FID, stating that it is one of the reasons for the effective way in which criminal networks are being destroyed.

“These achievements are a testament to the power of collaboration. Working alongside our partners both locally and abroad, we are more effective in dismantling criminal networks, depriving offenders of ill-gotten gains, and protecting the country’s financial system, Darien said.

“Our collective efforts are vital in discouraging future crimes and upholding the integrity of our financial systems,” he added.

The FID stated that it is committed to fostering a safer and more secure Jamaica, while urging citizens and financial institutions to report suspicious financial activities as this support is essential in fighting criminal threats.