MP Lewis questions money-laundering enforcement and Justice data

MP Lyndon Lewis questioned whether money-laundering investigations are applied evenly across Sint Maarten’s business community during Parliament’s 24 September meeting with Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling, The People’s Tribune reported.

Lewis referred to visits he said he made to Point Blanche Prison and questioned why defendants he had observed in money-laundering and other cases appeared predominantly Black. He asked whether investigations were reaching Indian and Chinese merchants as well as other business sectors.

The meeting continued an urgent sitting first held on 7 July on traffic accidents, road safety and other Justice matters. Lewis was among the MPs who requested it, according to The People’s Tribune.

Lewis also questioned the Public Prosecutor’s Office’s ability to investigate elected and appointed officials while, he said, some Justice statistics and resources were unavailable. He referred to an investigation involving himself and questioned the timing of investigations involving politicians.

He asked what happens to Financial Intelligence Unit cases after they are sent to the Public Prosecutor’s Office. Lewis called on Tackling to seek better statistics and organisation across the Justice system, including the police, Customs, prison and the Financial Intelligence Unit.