By LAMECH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
A COURT seized more than $12,000 in US currency from a man yesterday who failed to get formal permission to carry that amount of money out of the country.
Magistrate Constance Delancy told 38-year-old Desmond Higgs that he was wrong to attempt to travel with US$12,360 on his person without getting permission from the proper authorities. She said he could have received a custodial sentence for his actions.
The Freeport, Grand Bahama resident was arraigned on a single charge of attempted exportation of restricted goods.
It was alleged that he failed to obtain Central Bank approval to carry the cash outside the country prior to November 18 when he was arrested at the Domestic/International Departure Security checkpoint at the Lynden Pindling International Airport.
Higgs pleaded guilty to the charge, which carries up to 24 months prison time. However, he was later granted an absolute discharge.
The court, instead, ordered the funds be confiscated and turned over to the Crown.
Commenting has been disabled for this item.