Faustus Alfred, a former employee of the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA), has been found guilty of aiding and abetting a crime in connection with the illegal release of a vehicle.
The prosecution, led by Corporal Degazon and Inspector Etienne, had previously presented evidence showing that Alfred unlawfully assisted in the release of a Lexus without the required customs duties being paid.
A key witness, a customs officer, testified that although the Lexus had been imported, there was no customs entry for the vehicle in the system. The investigating officer confirmed that the car arrived at the port on December 7, 2016, and was released in January 2017, despite no record of duties being paid and over $1 000 in port rent being owed.
The prosecution stated that Thomson Louis, an importer of vehicles at the time, was responsible for the import, but upon investigation the release booking document contained Alfred’s name.
Alfred, who had been employed at SLASPA for eight years, was not authorised to release vehicles, and had fraudulently generated a Goods Inspection Report (GIR), which facilitated the vehicle’s release.
The court determined that Alfred’s use of the GIR and knowledge of the system indicated intent to aid in the unlawful release of the vehicle. Witness testimony remained consistent throughout the trial
Alfred, who chose to represent himself in the matter, remained silent during the proceedings and provided no defence against the allegations.
Giving her ruling on Monday, Magistrate Michelle Lewis reprimanded and discharged Alfred on the charge of aiding and abetting.
On the charge of fraudulent conduct under customs regulations — which carries a maximum penalty of either a $10 000 fine or three times the amount of the evaded duty, and up to six months in prison — the magistrate imposed a six-month sentence, suspended for a year. It means that if Alfred commits another offence within the next year, he will be required to serve the full six-month sentence.
