A US citizen who failed to declare US$50,000 (J$7.6 million) when he traveled to Jamaica two years ago avoided a J$22 million fine for the offence in the St James Parish Court on Friday.

Kenardo Coke was alleged to have travelled to Montego Bay with the sum of US$50,000 in cash from the United States in April 2021. The money was allegedly found wrapped in wigs concealed in his suitcase, and Coke was subsequently arrested and charged.

Coke was slapped with a raft of charges including the offences of cross border movement of funds, conspiracy, possession of criminal property and concealment of criminal property. He was eventually offered station bail following the efforts of his lawyer Able-Don Foote.

Following several submissions last week Friday, Coke was freed of the conspiracy and cross border movement of funds charges and entered a plea for possession and concealment.

He was eventually fined in the sum of $1 million.

Foote expressed gratitude for the outcome as the penalty for cross border movement of funds would have been triple the amount discovered, pursuant to section 101 of the Proceeds of Crime Act, which would have been US$150,000.00 or approximately J$22 million.