Dwayne McLeod, Staff Reporter
A man was recently nabbed by members of the Organised Crime Investigation Division (OCID) after reportedly soliciting money from persons wanting to get into the Ministry of Labour's Farm Work Programme.
Police reports are that about 2 p.m. on June 26, a sting operation was set up and the man was seen at the Ministry of Labour's North Street offices soliciting money from persons wishing to obtain overseas employment.
Sources close to the investigations told THE STAR that the man later went to the intersection of Heywood and orange streets in downtown Kingston, where he was again seen collecting $20,000 from a man. He was then arrested and later charged.
Previous convictions
The police say the man has charged numerous persons a sum of $20,000 after promising to get them into the programme.
Investigators also told THE STAR that the man goes by the names 'Paul Hamilton', 'Mr. Brown' or 'Carrot' and has over six previous convictions to his name.
However, investigations revealed that his real identity is 66-year-old Winston Anderson of Tivoli Court, Tivoli Gardens, in west Kingston.
Anderson appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magis-trate's Court last Thursday (July 3), facing charges of obtaining money by false pretence and conspiracy.
He was granted $20,000 bail after his lawyer argued that he became severely ill since being incarcerated. Anderson is to return to court some time next month.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Labour says it is aware of the activities of these persons and is advising that there are no fees associated with the initial recruitment of workers.
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