The US has handed over a cheque for more than $600,000 to Bermuda for its help in stopping an illegal internet pharmacy operation.US Consul General Grace Shelton presented Premier Paula Cox with a cheque for $672,225 in a Cabinet Office ceremony yesterday attended by local and American law enforcement officials.The money represents half of the amount laundered through a Bermuda bank by an illegal internet pharmacy operation based in the United States.And, said Premier Cox, it will be handed out to local law enforcement and social agencies.The illegal operation laundered a total of $110 million in various jurisdictions, according to an FBI official who attended this afternoon’s ceremony.Jude LaCour, the operation’s leader, is serving a 97 months prison sentence for drug trafficking and money laundering.A US District Judge also ordered the forfeiture of assets, including those in Bermuda, in the 2009 case.US Consul Grace Shelton said that Bermudian authorities provided important law enforcement assistance in recovering the money by restraining funds in a bank account in Bermuda under the control of LaCour and working with the US Government to recover and forfeit those funds.Ms Shelton said: “I am so pleased to share the forfeited assets with our ally and friend, Bermuda.“The Bermuda Police Service and Bermuda’s justice system played an important role in this case, which is an excellent illustration of the outstanding cooperation among Bermuda and US law enforcement agencies.“When a country provides assistance that is important to the successful forfeiture of assets, the United States wants to show its appreciation. That is what we have done here today.”Ms Cox said: “This represents collaboration. We have legislation, we have treaties which speak to sharing of information. We certainly have a robust regime. This evidences that it works.”The money will be deposited in the Confiscated Assets Fund which operates a “fairly minimal” balance at the moment, Ms Cox said.