A 42-year-old British national has been charged after allegedly attempting to smuggle more than US$130,000 into Jamaica using shampoo bottles as concealment.
Trevor Whyte, a musician and businessman who claims addresses in both Enfield, London and White House, Westmoreland, was arrested at Sangster International Airport on May 1. He faces charges of possession of criminal property, cross-border movement of funds, and attempted bribery.
According to officials, Whyte arrived on a Virgin Atlantic flight and proceeded through the “nothing to declare” customs channel. He was selected for a routine baggage inspection, during which scanning revealed anomalies. A subsequent search reportedly uncovered three shampoo bottles labeled “Head & Shoulders Anti-Dandruff Shampoo and Conditioner,” which contained plastic-wrapped US currency.
Authorities say a total of US$130,490 was recovered from the bottles.
Whyte allegedly tried to bribe customs officers, encouraging them to take two of the cash-filled packages and allow him to leave with the remainder. He reportedly claimed the funds were legitimate earnings from musical performances abroad and were meant to fund business activities in Jamaica. However, he failed to provide documentation to support that claim.
“The concealment of cash in shampoo bottles, coupled with an attempted bribe, underscores the sophisticated tactics that individuals use to bypass established financial systems,” said Keith Darien, principal director of financial crime at the Financial Investigations Division (FID). “Our investigators remain vigilant and resolute in disrupting illicit financial flows that threaten Jamaica’s financial system and international reputation.”
The case was referred to the FID, and Whyte was formally interviewed in the presence of his attorney at the Freeport Police Station in St James on Friday. He was arrested and charged and remains in police custody. Authorities say he is in good physical condition.
Investigations are ongoing.
