The High Court has dismissed an application by the Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy (ONDCP) to forfeit more than EC$172,000 seized from bodybuilder Kenroy Christian, ruling that the agency failed to provide admissible evidence to support its case.

In a decision delivered on June 16, Justice Rene Williams found that the ONDCP had not proven that the EC$172,736.65 was derived from criminal conduct or intended for unlawful use, as required under anti-money laundering laws.

The money was seized nearly four years ago, and the agency later applied to have it permanently forfeited to the state.

However, the court noted that the ONDCP failed to comply with previous case management orders directing it to file witness statements and disclose evidence ahead of trial. As a result, the agency was left without admissible evidence to support its allegations.

Justice Williams ruled that the court could not rely on assertions contained in pleadings and submissions alone and that the burden remained on the ONDCP to establish its case through proper evidence.

Without witness testimony or documentary evidence before the court, the judge concluded that the agency had failed to meet the required legal standard and dismissed the forfeiture application.

The ruling means the ONDCP’s attempt to permanently confiscate the funds has been unsuccessful.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: High Court Dismisses ONDCP Bid to Forfeit EC$172,000 Seized From Bodybuilder.