$1.7m money-laundering trial involving Bermudian is underway in St Vincent
The trial of a Bermudian at the centre of a massive money-laundering case in St Vincent has begun, more than three years after he was first arrested.Winston Franklin Robinson has been held in custody since his arrest on April 4 2008 after $1.7 million was found by the authorities on board a yacht in St Vincent.Following the seizure, Robinson, who is aged in his late 60s, and a Trinidadian named Kent Andrews, aged in his late 30s, were arrested and charged with importing and concealing the cash, which was the alleged criminal proceeds of another.They were both remanded.A third man, Antonio “Que Pasa” Gellizeau, from St Vincent, was arrested in December 2008 and charged with the importation and concealment of the cash, which was the alleged proceeds of his criminal conduct. He was granted bail.The trio, who maintain their innocence, have seen their trial delayed by legal challenges. However, it opened at the Serious Crimes Court in Kingstown, St Vincent, last week.Several prosecution witnesses were heard over the course of Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, according to lawyer Theodore Guerra, who represents Mr Gellizeau.The trial has now been adjourned until September 12. According to Mr Guerra, the maximum penalty for the offences charged is five years in prison.