Missing fishermen not same men nabbed for money laundering in Grenada

Two Vincentians who last week pleaded guilty to money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering charges in Grenada are not, as has been speculated on social media, the Vincentian fishermen who were reported missing on May 30.

The missing fishermen are Mikel Quashie, 29, originally from Magum, but living in Buccament, and crewmember ‘Blanco’ of Magum and Buccament.

The men who were nabbed in Grenada are Vincentians Lamar Cordice 35, and Elvis Harold 29, both fishermen of Clare Valley.

On May 30, the St Vincent and the Grenadines Coast Guard launched a Search and Rescue Operation (SAR) for Quashie and Blanco who experienced engine problems while onboard a 14-foot, green and white vessel called “Unstoppable”.

‘Unstoppable’ left Buccament Bay at 10 am on Saturday, May 30 with the two crewmembers, for the purpose of fishing.

The Police Public Relations Department told SEARCHLIGHT yesterday that the fishermen have not yet been located, hopefully putting the rumors that the men were charged for money laundering in Grenada to rest, but bringing to the fore, the point that the men have been missing for over three weeks now.

Cordice and Harold, the men who were charged last week for laundering Euro 10,000, appeared at the St. George’s Magistrate’s Court last Thursday and were fined EC$5000 each, while the Euro currency was forfeited to the state.

The fines were expected to be paid forthwith, or Cordice and Harold would have to spend one year in prison. They were caught onboard a blue fishing boat in Grenada waters on Sunday, June 14.