Bahamas News
BAHAMAS: Minister Dames Gives Insight into the Proceeds of Crime Bill
#Bahamas, March 5, 2018 – Nassau – While giving his Communication during the debate on the Financial Transactions Reporting Bill 2018 and the Proceeds of Crime Bill, 2018, Minister of National Security the Hon. Marvin Dames presented to the House of Assembly an in-depth look into the latter.
“The Proceeds of Crime Bill is for an Act to Consolidate and Strengthen Measures to Recover the Proceeds and Instrumentalities of Crime and to Combat Identified Risks,” Minister Dames pointed out, on March 1, 2018. “Although this Bill is considered one of those Bills that fall under the compendium of financial Bills, this Bill is a cross between the compendium of financial legislation and the compendium of crime legislation being proposed by this working government, ‘The People’s Government’.”
Minister Dames noted that the Bill seeks to expose “all of those persons, organizations and companies involved in criminal activity and seek to support, cover-up and conspire with others to conceal their ill-gotten gains, by whatever means necessary”.
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, a study conducted in 2009 to determine the magnitude of illicit funds found that criminal proceeds being laundered amounted to US$1.6 trillion dollars, he said.
“The nuts and bolts of these far reaching and significant Bills is to launch an effective assault against the criminal networks operating throughout the country,” Minister Dames stated. “No matter where they may be operating, in communities, in the financial sector, across jurisdictions or on the deep web – it does not matter.”
“Where the Tracing and Forfeiture of Proceeds and Drug Trafficking Act 1986 did not go far enough, the Proceeds of Crime Act 2000 made some inroads; and what those Acts were not successful in accomplishing, this Bill will achieve and put our nation on par with global financial and anti-corruption standards,” he added.
Minister Dames noted that the Proceeds of Crime Bill 2018 has broadened the scope for fighting crime by encompassing the Tracing & Forfeiture of Proceeds & Drug Trafficking Act (1986) and Proceeds of Crime Act (2000). He added that the consolidation of those three Bills rolled into one meant a greater depth and larger net to haul criminal activity.
“For instance, both the Tracing & Forfeiture of Proceeds & Drug Trafficking Act (1986) and the Proceeds of Crime Act (2000) a subsidiary legislation, were created to exclusively handle all crimes dealing with the proceeds of drug trafficking alone,” Minister Dames pointed out. “This Bill, on the other hand, is more substantial making provision to cover all identified risks — money laundering; terrorism financing; terrorism; corruption, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, human trafficking, virtual currencies – digital representation of value which can be digitally traded – and other factors that the Minister, by regulations, may recommend.”
Further, he said, the Proceeds of Crime Bill, 2018, strengthens the previous legal framework through the establishment of a Ministerial Council and combats identified risks mentioned previously, by stiffening penalties and introducing sanctions to hinder corruption.
“The Ministerial Council will have the responsibility of assessments as it relates to the effective implementation of the Identified Risk Framework — or IRF — to eliminate identified risks.,” he said. “The Ministerial Council will be composed of the following: the Attorney General; Minister of Finance; Minister of Financial Services; Minister of Foreign Affairs; Minister of National Security, and a National Identified Risk Framework Coordinator nominated by the Attorney General.”
Regarding penalties and sanctions, Minister Dames pointed out, the Bill sets out a fine not exceeding $500,000 and imprisonment of not more than seven years on a summary conviction for money laundering, failure to make the required disclosures and tipping off.
“The previous Act stipulated a fine of $100,000 or five years,” he noted.
By: Eric Rose (BIS)
Photo Caption: Minister of National Security the Hon. Marvin Dames gives his Communication in the House of Assembly, during the debate on the Financial Transactions Reporting Bill 2018 and the Proceeds of Crime Bill, 2018, on March 1, 2018. (BIS Photo/Eric Rose)
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.
The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap
from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.
With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.
Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.
Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.
Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!
After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.
The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before
their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.
At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.
Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.
Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.
The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.
Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed
their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.
As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.
Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole,
with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’. Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.
Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.
Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the
listening booth.
Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.
For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification
attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.
Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.
The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members. Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.
Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine. To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.
On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking
in the comfort of the chic lounge. In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.
The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.
To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
