Two Kingston businessmen have been detained by the police in connection with the large quantity of sand which was removed from the beach at Coral Springs, Trelawny, earlier this year.

The STAR understands that the men's business places in Kingston were searched yesterday morning and a quantity of equipment, including computers, was seized by the police.

The men are being represented by attorneys-at-law Tom Tavares Finson and Marlon Gilbert Roberts. A third man was detained in St James and he is to be taken to Kingston for questioning.

The Kingston businessmen are to be questioned in the presence of their lawyers later this week.

Arising from the removal of approximately 6,000 cubic yards of sand from the Coral Springs property, lawsuits have been filed in the Supreme Court seeking damages for trespass and unjust enrichment and conversion.

Sued hotel operators

Felicitas Limited, which is being represented by Michael Hylton, QC, has sued hotel operators Fiesta Jamaica Ltd which operates the Grand Palladium Hotel and Resorts in Lucea, Hanover, Riu Jamaicotel Ltd which operates the Riu Tropical Bay Hotel in Montego Bay and the owners of the Palmyra Resort and Spa at Rose Hall, St James.

Felicitas Ltd has also sued Bedrock Building and Aggregates Ltd which operates a mining and aggregate business at Lismore Avenue, Kingston 5.

Felicitas Ltd is contending that the defendant hotels were aware that the sand had been illegally obtained.