A woman identified as the Monique HASTINGS , the consignee and former employee in PNP Councillor Michael Troupe's office has been arrested by Jamaican authorities.
She is said to assist in the investigation of a large quantity of firearms and ammo that was slated to be shipped to Mobay via Miami.
AS the probe continues into the seizure in Miami of an illegal shipment of 119 guns and a large quantity of magazines and ammunition destined for Jamaica last month, new developments were revealed yesterday involving the woman alleged to be the consignee.
Meanwhile, head of Counter Terrorism and Organised Crime branch, Assistant Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey, confirmed yesterday that the accused woman was detained on reasonable suspicion of conspiracy to import guns and ammunition after surrendering to the police approximately 9:00 am. She remains in police custody.
There was also evidence that despite the councillor claiming she stopped working with his office some 3 months ago she was still being paid as of November. A document obtained by the Jamaica Observer showed that the woman's name was included on a list of people for whom payment in the amount of $25,000 was requested for office/administration support to councillors in the 17 divisions of the St James Municipal Corporation last month.
Troupe told the Observer that it was not unusual for workers to receive their earnings late.
In fact, Troupe disclosed that the late payment was among the reasons that the woman walked off the job.
Julian Robinson, general secretary of the PNP, said he would be meeting with Councillor Troupe and would comment afterwards.
The guns and more than 200 assorted rounds of ammunition were discovered by US Customs and Border Protection and Outbound Enforcement Team at Miami International Airport on November 13.
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