In a recent Decision in the All Saints Magistrate’s Court, Magistrate Ngaio Emmanuel ordered $10,000 forfeited from Natasha Jeffery of St. Phillips on an application by the Supervisory Authority for civil forfeiture. Jeffery argued that the money had been withdrawn from her bank account and therefore could not be the proceeds of crime, and was for the purpose of paying attorney legal fees.

Jeffery was unable, however, to produce any documentary evidence of various businesses which she said were the sources of her earnings. She was also unable to adequately explain the sum of $82,000 deposited into her bank account over the period of seven (7) months, and same day deposits into accounts at two different banks, which included what she claimed were deposits from sale of food and drinks as a Carnival vendor. The earnings from the Carnival sales were reported to be significantly higher than that which other vendors were able to earn, though Jeffery admitted she was doing nothing different from them.

Though Jeffery had had drug charges dismissed against her at committal proceedings, the further sum of $7,150 was also forfeited. In addition to the 285 lbs of cannabis that was uncovered, the ONDCP also found this money in Jeffery’s vehicle next to her residence in St. Phillips where she lived with her boyfriend. Jeffery claimed that she had a vegetable garden in the back yard of the premises, and attributed the money to the sale of vegetables grown there which was used to throw a Box. Evidence by an ONDCP Officer and by an expert in Agricultural Science, indicated that the garden lacked the capacity to produce yields that could have earned the amount Jeffery claimed from sale of its vegetables. The court found that it was more probable than not, that the money was the proceeds of crime, and ordered the sums forfeited to the Government.