After police executed warrants in connection with an ongoing investigation of irregularities within His Majesty’s Customs, a 56-year-old man was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of breach of trust by a public official, according to the Police Information Office.
The man — who the police did not identify — was later released without charges pending further investigation, the PIO stated. The Customs Department is under police investigation in keeping with a recommendation from the Commission of Inquiry report released last April.
Governor John Rankin announced last May that he had instructed Police Commissioner Mark Collins to investigate possible corruption at the department, along with other probes. “I am determined that investigations should be held in line with the Commission of Inquiry report and that any public official who has engaged in criminal wrongdoing should be brought to justice and held accountable under the law,” Mr. Rankin said at the time.
“I am also determined that where possible, public funds that may have been misused in relation to the projects under investigation should be recovered and used instead for programmes that benefit all members of our community.”
Among other issues, the COI alleged multiple problems with customs officers’ efforts to recover fees and with potential conflicts of interest in the department. The COI team also recommended a sweeping review of law enforcement and justice systems including customs.