SEVERAL ARRESTS MADE FOLLOWING POLICE RAID ON HOMES OF FORMER EDUCATION MINISTER RUEL REID, AND CMU PRESIDENT FRITZ PINNOCK!

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The police are reporting that a number of people were arrested in this morning’s joint operations to facilitate a probe into allegations of corruption, fraud and misappropriation of public funds involving the Ministry of Education and the Caribbean Maritime University (CMU).

The operations, carried out by the Financial Investigation Division (FID), Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) and the Constabulary Financial Unit of the Counter Terrorism and Organised Crime Division (CTOC), took place at four locations in St Andrew, St Catherine and St Ann.

Among the properties searched were the homes of former Education Minister Ruel Reid and CMU president Fritz Pinnock.

The police did not say whether or not Reid and Pinnock were among those taken into custody for further questioning.

Additionally, several items were seized including documents and electronic devices.

More information later.Sponsored Links

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Police investigators are currently conducting operations at the homes of former Education Minister Ruel Reid and president of the Caribbean Maritime University (CMU) Fritz Pinnock in connection with a major corruption probe.

The operations, which began at 5:00 am, are being conducted simultaneously in Kingston, St Catherine and St Ann by the Financial Investigation Division (FID), Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) and the Constabulary Financial Unit of the Counter Terrorism and Organised Crime Division (CTOC).

The police said they are targetting the main suspects implicated in a mulit-million dollar corruption and fraudulent schemes perpetrated at the Ministry of Education, CMU and other government entities that fell under the portfolio responsibility of Reid while he was Government minister.

“All locations are properly manned by police personnel and operations are proceeding in an orderly manner,” the police said in a statement.

Reid resigned from Government on March 20 amid corruption allegations in the ministry, while Pinnock was yesterday sent on special leave with immediate effect.

The police have assured that further updates will be issued during course of the day.