MOCA ARRESTS SUSPECTED FRAUDSTER AT NMIA

The Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA), today arrested and charged 36-year-old Ricardo Golden, a key suspect in an ongoing investigation into an alleged $8 million fraud case at the HEART Trust NTA, as he attempted to board a flight at the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA).

According to Major Basil Jarrett, Director of Communications at MOCA, Golden is now the fifth person to be charged in connection with an investigation that has been ongoing since 2018.

The other persons charged to date are Anna-Kay Phinn-Tyrell and her husband Michael Tyrell, former employees at the HEART Trust, as well as Tasha Bucknor and Shamar Bell, all of whom are presently before the courts. All five are alleged to have been part of a conspiracy to fraudulently move money from the HEART Trust NTA to the accounts of persons who were neither employees nor contracted workers of the entity.

Golden was picked up by MOCA agents after he failed to report to the Agency for questioning as instructed. He was charged with receiving stolen property, conspiracy to defraud and money-laundering and is scheduled to appear in court later this week.

Major Jarrett praised the NMIA police for their support in carrying out today’s operations, and lauded the team for their swift and professional conduct. He is also reminding persons to continue to report instances of corruption and organized crime to MOCA’s newly created tip hotline, 888-MOCA-TIP (888-662-2847).