ST JAMES, Jamaica — A United Kingdom (UK) musician and businessman who allegedly attempted to smuggle cash into the country in shampoo bottles was granted bail in the St James Parish Court on Wednesday.
Trevor Whyte, 42, has been charged with possession of criminal property, cross-border movement of funds and attempted bribery after allegedly being found with the money at the Sangster International Airport on May 1.
During the bail hearing, Whyte’s lawyer, Able-Don Foote, informed the court that his client has no prior criminal record and expressed the view that his entanglement in the matter stemmed from ignorance and naivety.
Foote further emphasised that, upon his release, Whyte cooperated fully with the authorities, furnishing them with a trove of documentation related to the funds.
Presiding judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton granted bail set at $1 million with up to three sureties. Conditions include regular reporting to a police station, surrendering travel documents, and a stop order at all ports of entry and exit.
Whyte is scheduled to return to court on June 27.
Reports indicate that Whyte, who resides in White House, Westmoreland, when in Jamaica, and has a permanent address in Enfield, London, was stopped after arriving on a Virgin Atlantic flight. After entering the “nothing to declare” customs lane, he was selected for routine inspection. A scan of his luggage revealed irregularities, leading to a physical search.
That search uncovered three bottles labelled “Head & Shoulders Anti-Dandruff Shampoo and Conditioner”, which, upon examination, contained US currency wrapped in plastic. Officials reportedly recovered a total of US$130,490 from the bottles.