Grenada Receives Cash Forfeiture and Cash Seizure Guides

On Wednesday, August 28, the Regional Security System (RSS) launched and handed over the Cash Forfeiture Handbook and Cash Seizure Policy and Guide to the authorities in Grenada.

The Handbook, a collaborative effort of the RSS Asset Recovery Unit and the Financial Intelligence Unit of Grenada, is a bespoke guide on Cash Seizure, Detention and Forfeiture which sets out the legislation of Grenada, relevant case law, procedures and best practices. It sets out clear, actionable, transparent steps for lawfully and effectively seizing cash from criminals.

It addresses the legal framework, the operational procedures and ethical considerations that are essential to conducting Cash Seizures in a manner that uphold the highest standards of justice. The Cash Seizure Policy is a cogent document for cash seizure, detention and forfeiture best practices developed and prepared to create synthesis between the police officer who is the first point-of-contact with discovered cash and the practitioner (law enforcement or legal) who applies for its forfeiture, primarily from the Financial Intelligence Unit.

Director of the Asset Recovery Unit, Kisha Sutherland, noted that the documents are a call for action for Member States to support and advocate for the robust use of asset forfeiture to combat crime, ill-gotten gains being the lifeblood of criminal enterprises.

In attendance to receive the documents on behalf of their respective organisations were:

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, the Honourable Claudette Joseph

Director of Public Prosecutions Mr. Christopher Nelson

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security Ms. Carlyn McQuilkin

Comptroller of Customs Mrs. Karen Forsyth-Hall

Assistant Commissioner of Police Vannie Curwen and Deputy Commissioner of Police Jessmon Prince

Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit of Grenada, Mr. Brendon La Touche.

RSS