MOCA to Be Statutory Agency

Cabinet has issued drafting instructions for legislation to establish the Major Organised Crime and Anti Corruption Agency (MOCA) as a statutory body, independent of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

“MOCA currently operates as a joint staff agency with members from the JCF as well as civilians,” Minister of National Security Hon. Peter Bunting said, during his contribution to the 2015/16 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, on April 29.

The Anti-Corruption Branch was merged into MOCA during 2014 and the performance of the merged entity has continued to be strong.

Mr. Bunting noted that MOCA is the “vanguard agency” for detection and investigation of criminal kingpins, corrupt public officials, and professionals who facilitate money laundering.

The Minister informed that between January 2014 and March 2015, MOCA conducted a total of 347 operations, arresting 688 persons, including 64 members of the JCF.

He added that of this number, 411 were charged, including 46 members of the JCF; 26 Public Sector employees, including Motor Vehicle Examiners, Island Traffic Authority personnel, Customs Officers, and employees from the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), National Works Agency, Tax Administration Jamaica, Auditor General’s Department, and Revenue Protection Department.

Mr. Bunting also noted that 313 scammers were charged under the Law Reform Fraudulent Transactions Special Provision Act and 26 civilians were charged for various offences, including: businessmen, contractors, lawyers, and haulage contractors.

“MOCA and the Financial Investigations Division are jointly pursuing civil forfeiture proceedings related to illicitly gained assets for a value in excess of $1.1 billion. A total of 29 persons prosecuted by MOCA were convicted during this period,” the Minister stated.