MPs grill minister about
sale of confiscated goods
PHILIPSBURG--Apparent irregularities involving the selling of items confiscated by the Prosecutor’s Office triggered a number of questions directed to Justice Minister David Dick during Tuesday’s meeting of the Central Committee of Parliament.
The decision to let a private broker sell the confiscated items was the main problem and Parliamentarians Dwigno Puriel (MAN) and Nelson Navarro (Forsa Kòrsou) presented specific questions on the matter.
The Parliamentarians wanted to know about the legal procedures that apply in the selling of confiscated goods.
The Minister explained that once a decision was taken to sell the goods, the bailiff, the court recorder’s office and the Finance Department must be involved in the procedure.
However, there have been doubts about whether, by allowing a private company to deal with the selling of the items, the correct procedures are being followed, about whether the selling has taken place via public bidding and about how and whether the monies have been registered.
Dick said he had taken note of two specific cases, but had found nothing illegal taking place.
“However, to take away any speculations of wrongdoings, we have stopped immediately with the current procedures for the selling of confiscated goods,” he explained Tuesday.
Puriel and Navarro were not satisfied with the minister’s responses and wanted more detailed answers on the matter. Dick promised he would get back to Parliament after more investigation had been done.
