Businessmen appear in Magistrates Court and are charged with money laundering and conspiracy; committal set for October

Two businessmen who made their first appearance in the St. John’s
Magistrates Court on Monday, July 24, had their station bail
confirmed. 

According to reports, Edward “Eddie” Hadeed and Cosbert Sergeant
appeared before Magistrate Conliffe Clarke, who did not alter the
Police’s bail of $20,000 – which had been granted on the
instructions of Acting Chief Magistrate Wason, according to the
police report.

That document reports that no cash deposit was taken, but two
Antiguan sureties were required for each man, as well as the
surrender of their travel documents.
Because the bail was confirmed, no other conditions could have
been added by the court.

Reports say the two men were charged with money laundering and
conspiracy and are scheduled to return to court on October 16 for
committal proceedings. Since the charges are indictable, they must
be tried in the High Court. 

It is alleged that these charges arose out of an operation that was
conducted at the Port Authority on Friday, July 21.

Reports say the men were detained and then sent home.
However, they were arrested and charged the following day, July 22,
and were granted station bail within an hour.

Sources say that two other businessmen are expected to be arrested
and charged for similar offences.