By KYLE WALKINE

Tribune Staff Reporter

kwalkine@tribunemedia.net

POLICE in Abaco are investigating how around $500,000 allegedly went missing from the Customs Office in Marsh Harbour, Abaco, last month. North Abaco MP Renardo Curry confirmed to The Tribune yesterday that the matter is before police as to how a substantial sum of the Treasury’s money was misplaced. 

According to the Bahamas Christian Network (BCN) the deposits - which comprised cash and cheques - left the port in Central Abaco with a customs officer and went missing during the short drive to the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC).

“I recently heard about the matter and I understand it is under investigation, so I can’t speak specifically to the issue,” Mr Curry said yesterday in Cooper’s Town, Abaco.

“But in any instance, I’m sure the government will get to the bottom of it and find out what has transpired in the accusation. Of course, in an investigation you have to find out the truth before you utter any sentiments concerning the matter. So that’s my position.”

“In talks you hear a lot of different things. So you can’t just rely on third or fourth party information. Police are getting to the bottom of it. So the investigation will prove exactly what is what. You can rest assured that if there is some mishandling of funds, the government will follow the law of the land.” 

BCN, operated on Abaco and owned by Silbert Mills, reported: “The deposits are compiled of cheques and cash from various importers to the government, that was brought to account at Customs. “Based on procedure, when the money is brought into account, it then goes to the customs cash book. They then take the money and cheques combined to the bank. That bank is RBC in this case, which is a two-minute ride from the port.”

“Between the port to the bank in that two minutes, the deposit never made it. Five deposits never made it to the bank. They have a cumulative total just around $500,000.”

The BCN representative also told The Tribune that the government may be able to get back almost $470,000 of that total.

“Most of the importers and brokers pay by way of certified cheques. Only about $30,000 of that $500,000 was cashed. So the government stands to lose that amount unless they can find out who is responsible for it.”

According to the BCN, deposits are transported in this fashion several times a day, by way of one customs officer. 

The office in Marsh Harbour alone brings in around $40m in customs duty every year.  When The Tribune questioned Deputy Prime Minister Philip Davis about the alleged missing funds, he said he only heard of it through the media that it is under investigation.