Trinidad cops following foreign exchange trail for Kartel payment

(Trinidad Express) Acting Police Commissioner Junior Benjamin has confirmed that the Financial Investigations Branch (FIB) has been assigned to conduct an investigation into how the promoters of the One Caribbean Music Festival secured US dollars to pay Jamaican dancehall star Vybz Kartel and other artistes.

Benjamin was fielding questions from reporters following a vehicle handover ceremony at the Police Academy in St James yesterday.

The concert at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain last Saturday was expected to be headlined by Kartel (Adidja Palmer), who concert producer JACHO Entertainment said was contracted for US$1.35 million, of which US$950,000 was paid.

Kartel pulled out of his scheduled concert appearance, citing what he said was the promoter’s failure to fulfil contractual obligations as the reason for his no-show.

Minister of Finance Davendranath Tancoo said over the weekend he was “intrigued” by the quantity of foreign exchange which had been accessed for payments to artistes.

As a result, he said a probe had been initiated by the Ministry into access to foreign exchange by parties involved in producing the show.

Tancoo stated that this probe was a “fact-finding” mission, and that the Government was in support of the private sector and its development of foreign exchange generators.

Benjamin said yesterday that the FIB has been tasked with conducting a review of the circumstances, even though there has not been a formal complaint/report from any parties.

“Well, the TTPS has not received any formal report of this matter,” Benjamin said. “Nevertheless, we continue to look at the matter and I have already engaged the FIB to look into this matter, so we will look into it and see what ramifications come out of it.”

While he did not state what the investigation would focus on, senior officers told the Express last night that it would examine legal issues related to the transaction and if it was conducted under all necessary laws, foreign exchange controls, and financial transparency regulations.

In July 2024, Kartel was freed after 13 years in prison on a charge for the murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams.

Following his non-appearance at the show, Kartel claimed that his agents had been very lenient previously and granted JACHO a “bligh” when contractual obligations were not met.

A Vybz Kartel concert scheduled for May 3 in Costa Rica and his first performance in that country was also cancelled, reportedly due to unforeseen logistical problems, causing the issuance of refunds.

On Saturday Ghanaian-American singer Moliy also blanked the festival, as result of communication issues and failure to meet key obligations with the producers, her management stated.

By showtime, three artistes had failed to show and attendance at the venue was poor, followed by calls for refunds by frustrated patrons.

Representatives for JACHO Entertainment could not be reached for comment last evening.

Additionally, Benjamin said an investigation had also been launched into the actions of police officers at the One Caribbean Music Festival.

Public concerns were raised following the circulation of a video showing officers detaining a suspect accused of throwing missiles into a crowd, with questions about the level of force used.

“That investigation is ongoing,” Benjamin said. “One of the things we would have done is to remove the officer from at least that department…in terms of the public order team.”

That officer, who is said to be from the Guard and Emergency Branch, has since been placed on administrative duties.

Benjamin added that during the course of the investigation, the TTPS will be conducting necessary training to address any procedural gaps.

“While that is happening…there is the requisite training…and the investigation is done in that matter, and coming out of that we will wait to see exactly…what is the next step,” he said.

Benjamin referred to TTPS guidelines that govern internal investigations.

“The protocols at the TTPS in terms of discipline, we have a Departmental Order #14 of 2008 that gives certain requirements,” he stated. “It’s normally 30 days that is given for an investigation, and if an extension is needed, a further 30 days will be given, so we have a regulation that guides the length of time in which these investigations take place.”