Man accused of hiding US$270,000 in soap boxes back to court July 1

MONTEGO BAY, St James — A man accused of bringing more than US$270,000 into Jamaica hidden inside soap boxes has been granted bail in the sum of $2 million and is to return to court on July 1.

Thirty-four-year-old Shawn Walker, originally from Crawford District, St Elizabeth, and now living in the United States, appeared before Judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton when he returned to the St James Parish Court on Tuesday.

He is facing several charges, including possession of criminal property, concealing criminal property, failure to comply with requirements imposed by an order, and cross-border movement of funds.

The case first came before the court on June 10, when the prosecution objected to bail, citing concerns surrounding an ongoing overseas investigation. Prosecutors argued that the Financial Investigations Division (FID) was in communication with foreign investigators and that releasing Walker could interfere with those inquiries.

The matter was adjourned to allow the prosecution to provide the court with additional information regarding the overseas investigation. During Tuesday’s hearing, defence attorney Donovan Collins renewed his application for bail, outlining the charges against Walker and stating that his client denied allegations connected to three of the offences.

Collins reminded the prosecution that bail should not be used as a form of punishment, arguing that the prosecution was effectively seeking to keep his client in custody while awaiting the outcome of an investigation being conducted in another jurisdiction.

Judge Fairclough-Hylton, who, noting that some matters fell within the court’s jurisdiction, later questioned the prosecution on several issues. Under the bail conditions imposed, Walker must report to a designated police station on specified days, surrender his travel documents, and remain subject to a stop order preventing him from leaving the country through any port.

The court also ordered that disclosure — the documents and information relating to the case — be provided to the defence to allow preparation for trial. The matter was set for case management on July 1.

The court heard that Walker arrived at Sangster International Airport from the United States on June 7 at approximately 11:55 am. During a routine luggage screening, customs officers allegedly identified irregularities, leading to a search of his bags.

Investigators reported that US$270,580 was found concealed inside 28 boxes of a popular brand of soap.

According to customs officials, Walker failed to declare the money on his C5 form, indicating that he was not carrying more than the US$10,000 allowed.

When questioned, Walker reportedly said the funds were generated from his trucking business and represented proceeds from the sale of four semi-trailer trucks. He said the money was intended to assist with the purchase of a house in St Elizabeth and a motor vehicle.

However, investigators said documents presented to support his explanation were not in Walker’s name and that he was unable to provide a satisfactory account for the funds.

The money was seized, and Walker was arrested and cautioned by members of the Anti-Lottery Scam Task Force. His Apple iPhone was also taken into police custody.

Investigators said Walker initially provided the password for the phone, allowing a preliminary examination of the device. They alleged that the review uncovered identity-related information connected to several overseas individuals.

However, after the phone later became locked, Walker reportedly refused to provide access again.

Walker was subsequently detained on suspicion of breaches under Law Reform and POCA legislation. Investigators later obtained a production order requiring him to provide the phone password within 48 hours.

Authorities said Walker claimed the phone belonged to his mother and that he did not know the password.

Investigators maintained that the device seized was the only phone taken from Walker and was the same device he had previously unlocked.

He was later charged after participating in a question-and-answer session conducted in the presence of his attorney.