Archive for June, 2013
Crown seizes dealer’s $10k
(CNS): The crown successfully managed to confiscate CI$10,626.13 in a range of currencies Tuesday from a local man recently convicted of conspiring to supply cocaine. Justice Charles Quin ruled during a confiscation hearing that the money found in Camilo Naranjo’s possession and his home when he was arrested in connection with the drug related offence following a police sting operation was as a result of criminal activity. The crown made the application to seize the cash, which was in several different currencies, following his conviction under the proceeds of crime law. Prosecutors successfully argued that money in Cayman and US dollars, as well as sterling and euros, was acquired by Naranjo unlawfully.
Naranjo, who is serving an eight year sentence after pleading guilty to the conspiracy charge in January of this year in connection with an undercover police operation that took place in 2010. Naranjo was believed to be a leading player in the local drug trade, and plain clothes police officers set up a trap for the suspect, in which they posed as potential customers for a significant amount of cocaine.
The money in question was seized after his arrest but under the law local authorities must demonstrate that the cash came into the convicted man’s possession as a result of his “criminal lifestyle" but the onus was on Naranjo to prove the cash was his via legitimate means. Naranjo had claimed that he had earned most of the money working with a local watersports operator and at a local restaurant but $2,000 had come from his mother.
In the months prior to his arrest in November 2010, Naranjo had made several extended overseas trips to the UK and Holland. He claimed to have financed these through the sale of jewellery and electronic equipment. However, no receipts were produced from the jewellery and the electronic equipment he had aimed to sell or were found in his apartment. In addition, the defendant was living at Treasure Island at the time of his arrest, paying some $1,150 in rent per month.
With no evidence as to how he sustained his lifestyle prior to his arrest or that he had sold any possession but with significant evidence that he was involved in drugs smuggling, the judge said it led to the “inescapable inference that he was drug trafficking on a significant scale”. The judge found that there was “no evidence of any legitimate source of income” for Naranjo. He said the defendant had failed to displace the crown’s assumption that the cash was a direct result of his criminal behaviour and ordered the money confiscated.
White collar suspect may plead to $500k theft
(CNS): The former president of the Rotary Sunrise Club, Michael Levitt, who was the money laundering reporting and compliance officer for Solomon Harris, made his first Grand Court appearance on Friday after being charged with fraud and theft related offenses from the local legal firm. Levitt is accused of stealing around $500,000 from his former employer but his lawyer implied that there may be no need for a trial if the amount of money the 57-year-old man is accused of taking can be agreed. Following the adjournment to allow his attorney to discuss the case with the crown, Levitt is now expected to answer the charges against him on 5 July.
Levitt, who is a foreign national, was remanded in custody to HMP Northward and if convicted he can expect a significant custodial sentence as the courts have traditionally taken a hard line against those found guilty of financial crime as a result of its impact on Cayman’s main economic pillar.
The accountant was arrested in March of this year when his employers discovered what were described as “financial irregularities” during the firm’s annual audit.
Olympic day to showcase national sports
(CNS): Updated with list of events attached — The Cayman Islands Olympic committee will be hosting a number of events on Olympic Day which takes place on Sunday, June 23 June at Public Beach celebration of its 40th year anniversary. In the past Olympic Day has solely been a 5K Run/Walk, but this year organisers have invited the National Sports Federations to showcase their sports and the day will include Cycling at 9am, Football at 10am, Rugby at 11am, Golf at 12pm, Darts at 1pm, Swimming at 2pm, Volleyball at 3pm, Gymnastics at 4pm and the 5K run/walk organized by the Athletics Association at 5:30pm.
Olympic Day is free and open to everyone.
Organisers stated in a release that the event is not a fundraiser but to promote Olympism. Olympic Day is celebrated the world over on 23 June when hundreds of thousands of people – young and old – get moving and participate in sporting activities.
The event is hosted to promote participation in sport regardless of age, gender or athletic ability. Over the last two decades, the event has helped to spread the Olympic ideals to every corner of the world. The CIOC has hosted this event for several years and every year it has become a bigger success.
Registration for the 5K Run/Walk can be done online at www.caymanactive.com/olympic. For more information about Olympic Day call the CIOC office at 946-6984 and visit our Facebook page for constant updates: http://www.facebook.com/CaymanIslandsOlympicCommittee.
Cops warn drivers about thefts from cars
(CNS): Three cars were broken into on Tuesday night while their owners attended the Clifton Hunter High School graduation at the Agape Church and police are now asking drivers to take extra precautions as they attend large public gatherings that are targets for thieves. Issuing the warning Wednesday, Angelique Howell, District Commander for George Town, reminded motorists to be aware of their surroundings when they park their cars and ensure that there is nothing valuable visible through the car windows which may tempt criminals.
“Try and park where there is adequate lighting and not in areas which are overgrown with bushes,” she said. “Before you leave your car you should also ensure that you don’t leave any valuables in view. This is all about reducing the opportunities available to thieves and making your vehicle less vulnerable.”
CI Howell said additional officers patrolled the area surrounding the Church Wednesday for the John Gray High School graduation.
Anyone who wishes to speak to an officer about crime prevention should contact their local police station.
Scientists to use submersible to examine lionfish
(CNS): A group of scientists will engage in a series of dives next week off the Florida coast to study the growing lionfish population in a deep-sea manned submersible. The goal of the three days of diving and panel discussions is to foster long-term collaboration among scientists to halt the unprecedented expansion of this invasive species, the providers of the submersible said in a release. "Our expedition is an opportunity for some of the most respected marine experts in the region to come together and find a way to further science on the lionfish epidemic," said StocktonRush, the founder and CEO of OceanGate.
"Lionfish are a serious threat to the ecosystems of the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean waters, and we're pleased to provide our manned submersible for this research initiative and for the collaboration between organizations such as Nova Southeastern University (NSU) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, all of which share an interest in raising awareness and exploring methodologies for lionfish population controls."
Antipodes, operated by OceanGate, will utilize a high-powered prototype collection system to catch the fish for later study. The use of OceanGate's submersible creates an unprecedented opportunity for real-time scientific collaboration and observation of lionfish in areas below diver depth. The data collected during the dives will be made available to scientists and researchers across the country.
The recent invasion of lionfish, a non-native predator known for its venomous spines and dramatically increased numbers in the waters of Florida, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean, has severely decreased native fish populations by up to 80%, creating a serious threat to marine and reef ecosystems.
Hosted by Nova Southeastern University (NSU), the mission is also supported by the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation and will conclude on Saturday, June 29, with a panel of leading experts on aquatic invasive species. Scientists will discuss the data and imagery captured during the expedition, as well as their own first-hand observations.
OceanGate first raised national awareness of the lionfish threat in 2012 during the discovery of a downed World War II Hellcat fighter aircraft. Footage of the wreck also showed an alarming number of lionfish and caught the attention of marine biologists.
"The opportunity to further current research with submersible dives beyond diver depths will offer much needed insight into the species, and bring science closer to a solution for control," states Richard E. Dodge, Ph.D. Dean of NSU's Oceanographic Center.
Controversial cop moved to Sister Islands
(CNS): The long rumoured move of Frank Owens from George Town police station to the commander’s post on Cayman Brac has been confirmed. According to the RCIPS’ Facebook page and website, Owens is the subject of a current civil suit filed by a serving officer and has also faced allegations of assault which were not prosecuted as the director of public prosecutions (DPP) said it was not in the public interest. He is now in charge of the Cayman Brac and Little Cayman police. He replaces Inspector Pearson Best, who has been transferred to George Town police station. Meanwhile, Chief Inspector Angelique Howell is now the District Commander for George Town.
Among other promotions, Chief Inspector Robert Scotland was promoted to Detective Superintendent. Scotland is the new head of the Specialist Operations portfolio, which includes Drugs and Serious Crime Task Force, Joint Marine Unit, USG, K-9 and Air Operations Unit. Scotland has over 23 years experience in the RCIPS, having joined the service as a cadet in 1990.
Detective Chief Inspector Mike Cranswick is now Detective Superintendent. He joined RCIPS in October 2010 as Detective Chief Inspector (SIO – Senior Investigating Officer). Prior to this, he had 28 years policing experience with South Wales Police in the UK, the majority of that time was as a detective and SIO.
Acting Chief Inspector Brad Ebanks was confirmed in that position and he will remain as Commander in the Eastern Districts. Ebanks joined the RCIPS in 1986 and has served in a various roles in the Uniform Branch from West Bay to the Financial Crimes Unit and was the Commander of the Joint Marine Unit for four years. He is currently pursuing a course in Public Administration.
Local Red Cross manager part of regional team
(CNS): Cayman’s Red Cross Disaster Manager, Danielle Coleman, has been certified as part of the International Federation of Red Cross Societies’ Regional Intervention Team (RIT) following intensive training in Jamaica. Coleman was selected to take up the one spot open to the Overseas Territories following an intensive competitive bid. The eight-day training included a combination of camping disaster simulation and classroom work, with accommodations reflecting the training style. Over 20 participants from all over the Americas were present. As a RIT, Coleman will now be part of the local and regional response supporting other Red Cross Societies in their post-disaster response.
This will help to further compliment her training as a member of the British Red Cross Emergency Response Unit (ERU), which make her a part of the global network of responders.
“The training was intense, both on the practical and the theoretical side,” Coleman explained. “It’s important to ensure that you can, as much as possible, simulate that level of intensity because that is what happens in a real scenario. Part of the preparation is learning how to cope with the pressures and surroundings and the constant “lack of”- sleep, water, etc.”
The training covers a myriad of topics, ranging from water and sanitation, to psycho-social support, management of the deceased, communication and logistics, among others.
She will also be able to train local Red Cross volunteers as National Intervention Team (NIT) members, which is the highest level of training for a local responder within the Red Cross system.
“It’s great to be able to continue to offer support to our fellow Red Cross Societies around the region, which is something that the Cayman Islands Red Cross has done for years,” Coleman added. “Exposure to other Red Cross Societies, be it in times of peace or disasters, allows us to look more critically at what we are doing here at home and fine tune that which needs improvement. It always comes back to Cayman- the training, the knowledge and the experience- and as a community we are always better for it, even if in a small scale. That’s a great reason why we do it, because it makes us here better,” she said.
For more information or to join contact the Cayman Islands Red Cross on 949-6785 ext. 29 or pso@redcross.org.ky.
Bermuda press makes hay quoting error-riddled Bloomberg article
Cayman’s mid-Atlantic competitor has been making hay from a Bloomberg article about the as-yet-unknown fate of 2,000 Cayman residents working under term limit exemption permits (known as T-LEP's). Unfortunately, both Bloomberg and the Gazette seem to have grasped the wrong end of the stick on several points. Let’s look at them before the nonsense traverses the echo chamber again.
Here’s a point by point (Gazette quotes in bold italics):
“Cayman’s new Premier Alden McLaughlin has made it 'quite clear' to his immigration department that he wants to find a way to keep the expatriates while reducing a growing unemployment situation for Caymanians, according to Eric Bush, the nation’s chief immigration officer, who Bloomberg interviewed for the story.”
This would have been the most accurate statement in the entire article, had it not wrongly identified Eric Bush at the “chief immigration officer”. Mr Bush is the Chief Officer of the Ministry of Home Affairs (previously the Portfolio of Internal and External Affairs). Linda Evans is the Chief Immigration Officer.
“Mr McLaughlin’s ruling party has also said they will now require foreigners to work on the island for 10 years before they can apply for citizenship.”
They have? When?
“Currently there is a seven-year requirement.”
No there isn’t.
“Bloomberg also reported that the government plans to scrap a provision that enables companies to pick 'key' workers who could indefinitely extend their stay for two-year increments.”
This makes it sound like an adverse development for foreign workers. Yes, they will likely scrap the “key employee” provision allowing workers so designated to remain a further two years, but that wouldn’t mean everyone gets sent home early, it would mean EVERYONE would get to stay an extra two years.
And key workers could not “indefinitely extend their stay in two year increments” or any other increment; they could indefinitely extend their stay by applying for permanent residence.
“… a two-year permit for a foreign auditor can cost $16,500 …”
Wrong, it’s worse than that. A ONE year permit costs US$16,646.
“… while large firms may pay more than $21,000 for a visa for financial controllers.”
Also worse than that, small firms pay this too!
“In Cayman with unemployment among local citizens exceeding ten percent, the offshore financial centre is reining in the number of staff that funds, accounting firms, construction companies and hotels hire from abroad.”
No they aren’t. There has been no official announcement to that effect and no implication to that effect in the statements of officials quoted in the article.
" 'Limits on expatriates, who make up half the island’s 39,000 workforce, will ensure more jobs for Caymanians,’ reported Bloomberg, quoting Mr Bush.”
Actually, if you read the original Bloomberg piece, this was not a direct quote from Mr Bush. It was clearly a paraphrasing, indicated by the last of quotation marks. Are there limits on the hiring of expats? Yes, naturally, in instances where suitably qualified Caymanians apply. But the article, with some creative attribution on the part of the Gazette, makes it sound like some hard limit has been put on the number of expats.
“While the Cayman Islands tightens conditions for expatriates, Bermuda has loosened them, ending a limit on how long foreigners can work there as it seeks to lure funds and reinsurance companies.”
This is absolute bunk. There is no evidence cited (and none that I’m aware of, and I watch these things closely!) of tightening in Cayman Islands immigration. In fact, the T-LEP amounted to clemency for those threatened with rollover, so the policy has for all intents and purposes been shelved. The only loosening in Bermuda has been the abolition of the same rollover policy (some 18 months after Cayman). The only reason the new Bermuda government was able to act swiftly is that Bermuda’s policy is just that – a policy, whereas in Cayman the policy is enshrined in law.
And in any case, Cayman’s starting point was considerably more generous to expatriates, allowing them to apply for permanent residence after nine years, citizenship after ten and full Caymanian status after fifteen. Counterparts in Bermuda enjoyed no such progressive residency rights.
Most egregious of all, both the Royal Gazette and Bloomberg failed to point out that nobody in the financial industry expects for one minute that the government will fail to act to remedy the situation before the first cohort would be affected in October.
Bloomberg +Gazette = Fail.
Report: Cayman Islands could eject 2,000 work permit holders (Royal Gazette, 18 June 2013)
Paradise Lost Facing Expats in Cayman Work Visa Crackdown (Bloomberg 13 June 2013)
This commentary was first published on the CML Blog.
Business women host sexism guru for lecture series
(CNS): The Business and Professional Women’s Club of Grand Cayman will be hosting the internationally renowned feminist Laura Bates later this month as part of the 2013 Annie Hudlah Bodden Lecture Series. Bates, from the UK is the founder of the “Everyday Sexism Project” which is an ever-increasing collection of over 35,000 women’s general experiences of gender imbalance, sexism and other stories that reflect the continued problem of inequality among the sexes the world over. Andrea Williams, the BPW president said the group was delighted Bates was coming to share her knowledge and passion about combatting sexism in the workplace.
“This lecture will be of interest to all working men and women,” she said.
Established in 2001, the Annie Hudlah Bodden Lecture Series is designed to educate and empower individuals for the betterment of the Cayman Islands.
"Annie Huldah Bodden, OBE, was one of Cayman's most influential women,” Williams said. “She was the first female auditor of the Cayman Islands Government, the first female elected Member of the Legislative Assembly and the first Caymanian female to be awarded an…OBE. I believe she would be thrilled to have Laura Bates as a speaker under the lecture series named after her.”
The event will be held on 28 June from 12 to 2pm at Hollywood Theatres, Camana Bay.
Coral gardening project doing well say scientists
(CNS): Marine scientists at CCMI's Little Cayman Research Centre say the coral nursery project established in September last year to help replenish local reefs is doing well. As a pilot project, researchers deployed a single structure, multiplying four parent colonies of staghorn coral to 58 new individuals. After 3 months of the trial, all colonies have survived and are growing rapidly. These positive results provide the basis for installing additional structures and further developing the nursery, according to CCMI. Focusing on the fast growing staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) which experienced massive mortality in the 1980’s, the nursery will augment existing populations, enhance the existing reef structure and could potentially improve overall coral reef health.
“The indirect benefits of this conservation project and a healthier reef ecosystem will positively impact local tourism and improve local fish stocks,” noted a report from the Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI).
The nursery site was selected after a workshop at the centre to ensure good water quality, low predation, and workable depths. It is located due north of the centre which provides easy access for maintenance and oversight.
The coral projects is one of many important marine conservation initiatives and research studies taking place at the centre, some of which is recorded in the research summary posted below.