PHILLIPS... regulations accompanying the legislation will be refined

THE Joint Select Committee of Parliament on Thursday wrapped up its more than year-long deliberations on the Proceeds of Crime Act, bringing the state one step closer to being able to seize property and earnings obtained through criminal activities.

Committee Chair and National Security Minister Dr Peter Phillips said it was expected that the committee's report on the Bill will be laid at next week's sitting of the House, and the Bill brought before both Houses of Parliament for debate early in the new year.

According to Phillips, the enactment of the legislation would serve to "strike a solid blow against crime and criminality".

In the meantime, however, Phillips said the regulations accompanying the legislation are to be refined. He said the Bill will come into effect after it is gazetted.

The Act, which addresses several limitations in the Drug Offences (Forfeiture of Proceeds) Act, is set up to deal with ongoing organised crime and gives the state authority to deprive persons of all properties and accumulated wealth which cannot be explained by legitimate activity. It comes as part of efforts to fight organised crime and to ensure that persons engaged in criminal activities do not profit from their illegal activities.

The passing into law of the Bill is viewed by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) as one of the most critical pieces of legislation in curbing criminal activities, in particular drug trafficking and money laundering.

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