Philipsburg:--- Minister of Justice Roland Duncan in an interview with SMN News said on Sunday that he filed a complaint with the police department when he found out that someone had stolen one of the stamps belonging to government. Duncan said based on that investigation at least three persons from the Brooks Tower Accord (BTA) office has been detained, while police also arrested two other persons.The Minister said they were tipped off that people were buying and selling forged documents as well as the numbers that people were queuing up for at the BTA office. Duncan said while people were joining the lines to obtain a number there were others selling these numbers. Minister Duncan further explained that when he tried to intervene and to bring about order someone stole a government stamp. He said the stolen stamp was part reason why the people were lining up and while suspicions had arisen a complaint was filed. "What happened on Friday is the outcome of the investigation that is being conducted by police."
The Minister said the project went smoothly until around December 27 to 29th when the stamp was stolen.
The Minister said police (investigating team) already found some fraudulent documents and monies were confiscated. Duncan said he does not have details on the ongoing investigation, however, there is strong indication that crimes have been committed. Furthermore, he is expecting a report sometime in the future.
Minister Duncan also confirmed that he does not have the necessary Ministerial decree in place which would have outlined the BTA intake procedures. Initially former Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba had said that St. Maarten only had to finalize the procedure for those persons who did not submit their application for the extension of their BTA permit prior to 10/10/10. But St. Maarten's Minister of Justice decided to give persons who could prove that they were residing and working on the island the opportunity to submit their documents. Minister Duncan said while he did not change the criteria for the BTA he instructed the team to accept applications from people who fell under category 1. Minister Duncan said it did not make sense to tell people they were too late in submitting their documents to become legal residents of the island but they had qualified.
Co-ordinator of the project Evelyn Hodge worked on the restructuring of the BTA project which she implemented early November under the orders of the Minister of Justice, even though the Minister did not put the necessary Ministerial decrees in place.
However, all in-take of documents have been suspended pending the investigation. Documents that were submitted by various people have been turned over to the police so that the current fraud investigation can proceed. Further notice on how the BTA extension project will take place will be released at a later date said Minister Duncan. Minister Duncan said he will be guided by the police as to how he needs to proceed with the processing of the BTA applications.
The Minister also called on persons who already received legal documents for the processing of their BTA permits to go to the labour department and proceed with their administrative work. However, persons who wilfully bought documents should know that they risk being arrested as the documents sold to them are fraudulent. "As long as you are confident that that your documents are legitimate and you did not buy them then go and follow the instructions given to you at the labour department." The Minister said.
Police on Friday arrested five persons, three of which were working at the IND building (BTA) section as the fraud investigations continues.
