Bunting chides lottery scam task force

The national security minister has described as unacceptable the handling of the arrest of two public figures in connection with the infamous lottery scam.

The nation was shocked in July, when the deputy mayor of Montego Bay, Michael Troupe and the Councillor for the Salt Spring Division, Sylvan Reid, were taken into custody for allegedly being involved in the scam.

At that time, the Superintendent Leon Clunis-led Lottery Scam Task Force labelled Troupe and Reid as major players in the lottery scam.

Both men have denied the allegation.

In addition, since the July 18 operation and arrest of Troupe and Reid, no charge relating to the lottery scam has been laid against them.

Last evening, the national security minister expressed disappointment about how the affair was handled.

Asked if he felt police investigators spoke without the benefit of accurate information, Bunting said he was not in a position to give a comment.

However, Bunting said since no charge has been laid against the men the comments linking them to the lottery scam were premature.

Bunting said the police commissioner has assured him that what happened in the case of the deputy mayor of Montego Bay and the Councillor for the Salt Spring Division will not be repeated.

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