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Businessman charged after US$270,580 allegedly found in luggage at Sangster airport
🇯🇲 Jamaica /Energy & Infrastructure

Businessman charged after US$270,580 allegedly found in luggage at Sangster airport

From Jamaica Observer · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • A 34-year-old businessman was charged after allegedly attempting to smuggle US$270,580 into Jamaica in his luggage.
  • Shawn Walker arrived on a flight from New Jersey and was found with the cash concealed in soap boxes during a customs inspection.
  • He faces multiple charges under the Proceeds of Crime Act, including possession of criminal property and concealment.

A businessman has been charged in Jamaica after authorities discovered over US$270,000 concealed within his luggage at Sangster International Airport. Shawn Walker, 34, a business operator from St. Elizabeth, was arrested upon arrival from New Jersey on a United Airlines flight.

This matter demonstrates the importance of vigilance at Jamaica’s ports of entry and the continued collaboration among agencies involved in detecting and investigating suspected financial crime, including our strategic partners at the Jamaica Customs Agency.

— Keith DarienKeith Darien, Principal Director of Financial Crimes Investigations at the FID, highlighted the significance of the seizure and inter-agency cooperation.

During routine customs checks, officers detected irregularities in Walker's luggage. A subsequent manual search revealed a substantial amount of U.S. currency, totaling US$270,580, hidden inside 28 sealed boxes of bath soap. Walker was unable to provide sufficient documentation to prove the legal origin of the funds.

Walker faces several charges under Jamaica's Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA). These include failure to report the transportation of cash, possession of criminal property, and concealment of criminal property. Following a question-and-answer session with financial investigators, he was formally charged and remanded into custody.

The FID remains committed to protecting Jamaica’s financial system from abuse, and citizens also have an important role to play. We urge businesses and travellers alike to use the formal banking system and to comply fully with all declaration requirements.

— Keith DarienDarien urged the public to cooperate with financial crime prevention efforts.

He is scheduled to appear before the St. James Parish Court on June 16, 2026. Authorities emphasized the importance of vigilance at ports of entry and inter-agency collaboration in combating financial crime. They also urged travelers and businesses to comply with declaration requirements and utilize formal banking systems.

The seizure on Sunday underscores the importance of collaboration; and the Jamaica Customs Agency, along with the Financial Investigations Division, continues to collaborate in protecting our borders and our financial industry. We remain resolute and collaborative in working together to protect our borders.

— Cassell DunkleyCassell Dunkley, Director of Investigations at the Jamaica Customs Agency, echoed the sentiment on collaboration.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jamaica Observer. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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