Businessman Granted $2M Bail: A Jamaican businessman accused of attempting to smuggle more than US$270,000 into the island concealed inside boxes of soap has been granted bail, despite prosecutors revealing that he is also under investigation by United States authorities.
Thirty-four-year-old Shawn Walker of Crawford, St Elizabeth, appeared in the St James Parish Court on Tuesday, where he was offered bail in the sum of $2 million. As part of his bail conditions, Walker has been placed on a stop order at all ports of entry, ordered to surrender his travel documents, and must report to the Black River Police Station every Monday and Thursday.
During the hearing, prosecutors strongly opposed bail, citing an ongoing investigation by US law enforcement agencies and concerns that Walker refused to grant local investigators access to his cell phone, despite being served with a production order.
Prosecutors also disclosed that a forensic examination of the device could potentially lead to additional criminal charges in Jamaica.
However, Walker’s attorney, Donnovan Collins, argued that bail should not be denied as a form of punishment or solely because of the seriousness of the allegations. Collins said the court made the correct decision and noted that he is awaiting full disclosure of the prosecution’s evidence to adequately prepare his client’s defence.
Walker is scheduled to return to court on July 1.
The businessman was arrested on June 7 at Sangster International Airport in St James after arriving on a flight from New Jersey.
According to the Financial Investigations Division (FID), Jamaica Customs officers became suspicious during routine checks of Walker’s luggage. A manual search allegedly uncovered 28 sealed boxes of Irish Spring bath soap containing large quantities of US currency.
Authorities said the cash totaled US$270,580 and claimed Walker was unable to provide satisfactory proof that the funds were lawfully obtained.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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