Regional Civil Recovery Live Exercise - I

(From left-right, Mr. Chris Andino, Director for INL Western Hemisphere Programs, with Ms. Nadira Lando, Ms. Caryn Adams, and Ms. Suzette McKenzie.)

Between November 2021 and June 2022, the National Center for State Courts Financial Crimes Team (FCT) hosted its first civil recovery live exercise for 97 participants from six countries: Jamaica, Barbados, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, and Dominica. Seventeen participants were honored for their dedication, leadership and outstanding contribution during the exercise. The individuals who received the top award, for outstanding individual contributions, were Nadira Lando from Dominica, Caryn Adams from Grenada, and Suzette McKenzie from Trinidad and Tobago. Grenada won the prize for the best team and was treated to lunch at the Silver Sands resort in St. George, Grenada as a reward for their hard work. On August 18, 2022, the Jamaica Financial Investigation Division hosted an award ceremony for the members of their team that participated in the regional live exercise, each team member received a certificate of participation and Jahanne Williams and Joanne Oughton received special awards for their contributions.

(Members of the Jamaica team at the award ceremony held on August 18, 2022)

Between November 13 – 16, 2022, Ms. Lando, Ms. Adams, and Ms. McKenzie traveled to Washington DC to receive their awards from the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). The aim of the trip was to allow the awardees an opportunity to meet with persons who handle mutual legal assistance requests and facilitate the transfer of information. During the visit, participants also visited the Department of Justice (Office of International Affairs), Department of the Treasury (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network), Internal Revenue Service, and Department of the Treasury (Office of International Assistance). The delegation also visited the District of Colombia, United States District Court, to observe two trials. Congratulations again to all participants who completed the live exercise and welcome to Ms. Lando. Ms. McKenzie and Ms. Adams, who will form part of the expert panel at the next civil recovery live exercise, which will be held between December 2022 - June 2023.