Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Account monitoring coming for drug dealers, drug $$ launderers

Account monitoring coming for drug dealers, drug $$ launderers

The government is seeking to implement surveillance legislation that will allow the Financial Investigations Agency (FIA) and the police to monitor the bank accounts of persons suspected or known to be involved in drug trafficking and drug money laundering.
This legislation is being introduced in the form of the proposed Drug Trafficking (Amendment) Act, 2023 that was recently introduced to the House of Assembly for debate and legislative approval.

An entire new section titled ‘Account monitoring orders’ is being inserted into the existing legislation as Section 39A.

Under the proposed bill, the police or the FIA will be empowered to request an account monitoring order from the court. If granted, the court would instruct any financial institution specified in an application to provide specific information to the Agency or a police officer.

The proposed bill states that, “a court may, on application made to it by the Agency or a police officer, make an account monitoring order if satisfied that the order is sought for the purposes of a drug trafficking or drug money laundering investigation, the tracing of drug trafficking or drug money laundering property is desirable for the purposes of the investigation, or the order will enhance the effectiveness of the investigation.”

Limitations

The bill also allows for the police or the FIA to request the order without the knowledge of the persons they are seeking to monitor. However, the bill proposes limitations on how long account-monitoring can take place.

The period specified in an account monitoring order shall not exceed 90 days beginning with the day on which the order is made.

The proposed bill also offers certain protections for the person being monitored and for the financial institutions where the account is held.

Subsection 12 in the new provisions says a statement made by a financial institution in response to an account monitoring order may not be used in evidence against it in criminal proceedings, except “in the case of proceedings for contempt of court; in the case of proceedings where the financial institution has been convicted of an offence; or on a prosecution for an offence where, in giving evidence, the financial institution makes a statement that is inconsistent with its statement relating to the account monitoring order.”

While this power of account monitoring currently exists in relation to investigations about terrorist financing, it does not exist in relation to drug trafficking and drug money laundering. The aim, therefore, is to streamline these powers for both terrorist financing, drug trafficking and drug money laundering offences to achieve appropriate effectiveness in the fight against these crimes, the bill explains.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Russia Expands Military Presence Near Finland Amid Rising Tensions
Indian Scholar Arrested in Crackdown Over Pakistan Conflict Commentary
Ontario Manufacturers Warn U.S. Tariffs Could Create Economic 'Ghost Town'
UK and EU Reach Landmark Post-Brexit Deal to Reset Relations
Israel Eases Gaza Blockade Amid Internal Dispute Over Military Strategy
President Biden’s announcement of advanced prostate cancer sparked public sympathy—but behind closed doors, Democrats are in panic
Trump Demands Probe into Kamala Harris for Paying Celebs to Fake Endorsements
At Age 92, the World’s Oldest President Has No Succession Plan — and That Could Spark a Crisis
U.S. Concerns Mount Over Chinese 'Kill Switch' Components Found in Solar Power Infrastructure
Bipartisan Criticism Surrounds Trump's Cryptocurrency Ventures
Diplomatic Efforts on the Russia-Ukraine Conflict
Mexican Navy Ship Collides with Brooklyn Bridge, Injuries Reported
A Chinese company made solar tiles that look way nicer than regular panels!
U.S. and Philippine Forces Test High-Powered Microwave Weapons in Joint Exercise
China Unveils Advanced AI Surveillance Tools at 12th Police Equipment Expo
Japan's Three Major Banks Report Record High Net Profits for Second Consecutive Year
The Chinese Dragon: The True Winner in the India-Pakistan Clash
US and EU Make Progress in Trade Talks, While Vietnam Negotiations Also Advance
Sean 'Diddy' Combs Trial: Ex-Girlfriend Cassie Ventura Testifies About Alleged Abuse
Former Wales Rugby Star Jamie Roberts to Pursue Medical Career
Australia's Venomous Creatures Contribute to Life-Saving Antivenom Programme
Passenger Travels Under Wrong Identity on British Airways Flight
Former FBI Director James Comey Questioned by Secret Service Over Social Media Post
The Spanish Were Right: Long Working Hours Harm Brain Function
After 108 Years: Moody’s Downgrades U.S. Credit Rating
Did Former FBI Director Call for Violence Against Trump? Instagram Post Sparks Uproar
US and UAE Partner to Develop Massive AI Data Center Complex
Russia and Ukraine Hold First Direct Peace Talks in Three Years — But No Breakthrough Yet
Apple's $95 Million Siri Settlement: Eligible Users Have Until July 2 to File Claims
US and UAE Reach Preliminary Agreement on Nvidia AI Chip Imports
KREMLIN has just approved Senator ALEXANDER " THE EXPERIMENT" KARELIN, of Novosibrisk, as Chief Negotiator at the Meeting in ISTANBUL with Ukraine & USA.
Shocking Footage Released: Diddy Caught Dragging Cassie in Brutal Hotel Hallway Assault
Starlink Now Profitable: SpaceX Hits Major Milestone with $11.8 Billion in Revenue
Portuguese Right-Wing Leader Collapses During Campaign Rally
A Pakistani imam in Italy gave a sermon stating that every Muslim should fight the infidels or face ‘catastrophic consequences’.
President Trump and Elon Musk Welcomed by Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim with Cybertruck Convoy
EU Court Orders Disclosure of von der Leyen’s Texts with Pfizer CEO Over €35 Billion Vaccine Deal
Strong Warning Issued: Do Not Use General Chatbots for Medical, Legal, or Educational Guidance
Saudi Arabia Emerges as Global Tech Magnet with U.S. Backing and Trump’s Visit
Mexican Influencer Valeria Márquez Killed During Livestream in Suspected Femicide
This man went to take $5,000 out his own bank account and was arrested for it
This was President's departure from Saudi Arabia. The Crown Prince personally escorted him back to the airport.
CIA Files Reveal Klaus Barbie's Role in Bolivian Drug Trade and Dictatorship Support
Daughter of crypto boss escapes Paris kidnap in latest in series of attacks
U.S. FDA to Remove Oral Fluoride Supplements for Children Amid Gut Health Concerns
Kim Kardashian Testifies in Paris Robbery Trial, Tells Gang Leader: 'I Forgive You'
NVIDIA and Saudi Arabia Launch Strategic Partnership to Establish AI Centers
Challenges Facing EU Foreign Policy Amidst Diverging Interests
Reports Reveal Alarming Cognitive Decline in Biden Prior to Election Withdrawal
Trump Meets Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara in Historic Encounter
×