A Venezuelan on Thursday became the first individual to be convicted in St. Lucia for money laundering.
According to the St. Lucia News online, the Police in a press statement said that Reglio Jesus Patino Reyes was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, after being formally charged with the crime during an appearance in Court last Tuesday.
He was arrested when police conducted a search at a hotel in the northern end of the island on December 4, 2015 and discovered a quantity of foreign currency in his possession.
It was revealed that the Venezuelan had sums of US$7,610; Euro17, 950; Bolivars 4,020; six dollars in Chinese currency and EC$5.
Reyes was taken to hospital, where on taking a laxative, resulted in the expulsion of an additional 31 rolls of cash amounting to 14,000 Euro.
