Donald Ho, a St Andrew-based businessman, has been ordered to forfeit the equivalent of J$23 million in a civil recovery case brought against him by the Financial Investigation Division (FID) of the Ministry of Finance.

The verdict was delivered on Thursday, September 7, in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court (Civil Division), capping a lengthy legal battle that began with a 2013 police operation.

The case stems from a robbery at a downtown Kingston jewellry store on April 9, 2013, during which 16 high-value watches were stolen. A cellular phone left behind at the scene and meticulous cyber forensic work led Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) detectives to an address in St Catherine, resulting in the arrest and charge of one suspect. Further investigation and interviews implicated Ho in the robbery and other illicit activities.

On April 16, 2013, Ho was apprehended by the police, and a search of his Barbican, St Andrew premises yielded a cache of evidence, including what is believed to be the stolen watches, an illegal firearm, and a substantial amount of cash in various currencies, totalling J$658,500, US$150,955.00, £71, and CAN$85.

Ho pleaded guilty to the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition charges, but had the criminal property charge against him dropped. The Financial Investigations Division (FID) later initiated a Cash Forfeiture Application against Ho to recover the alleged proceeds of his criminal activities. After a protracted legal battle, the FID successfully secured a Forfeiture Order against him, forcing him to relinquish the equivalent of J$23 million.

Courtney Smith, the FID’s director of legal service, commenting on the court victory, stated: “That is our job, that is why we exist. We have to pursue the proceeds of crime wherever it may be, whoever may have it, and however long it may take.”

“This particular case shows the united resolve of the FID and our partner institutions, including the Jamaica Constabulary Force. The police officers and the legal team at the FID worked tirelessly to ensure that all the evidence was in place and all the evidence was presented to the court to assist the court in making this just decision,” he added.