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Head of the collapsed Cash Plus Group Carlos Hill is behind bars.
Mr. Hill was arrested Thursday afternoon after police launched a major investigation into operations of his multi-billion dollar investment company.
Mr. Hill was taken into custody after the Organised Crime Unit backed by the Fraud Squad, Financial Crimes Unit and Mobile Reserve raided his home in Norbrook, St Andrew Thursday morning.
The raid came a day after the court appointed Interim Co-Receiver/ Manager reported that Cash Plus had no money to repay investors.
He and his brother are now at the Horizon Remand Centre on Spanish Town Road.
Peter Wilson, who is the company's Chief Financial Officer; Cash Plus Company Secretary Michael Moodie and his wife Sonia as well as Australian real estate developer Graham Bailey who worked for Cash Plus on its real estate developments were also picked up by the police for questioning.
Other persons employed to the collapsed company are now being questioned by the police who continue to search for the missing funds.
Defence attorney Hugh Thompson who is representing Carlos Hill and his brother told the RJR News Centre that he was seeking answers from the police as to why his clients are in custody.
"We just spent three hours filling out something called a CIB4, some form that deals with the profiles of these people. I represent Carlos Hill and Bertram Hill who have been detained and I'm insisting that there is a question and answer tomorrow morning to make a determination whether they'll be charged or released." "So far as Mr. Bertram Hill is concerned, he's just merely visiting this country. Carlos Hill is his brother and on that basis his liberty has been taken away from him. I would wish for them to have the question and answer expeditiously so that there can be a determination on whether they are charged or released," he said.
Mr. Thompson said he wants his clients out by Friday.
"If they are not charged, I expect them to be released tomorrow because there is nothing resembling evidence as far as I have gathered against these men and something has gone haywire here. I don't know what has happened to the presumption of innocence. When someone is taken into custody pending the police finding evidence to charge them, it is wrong," said Mr. Thompson.
The police moved in on the Cash Plus boss after investors filed complaints accusing him of fraud.
Meanwhile, Head of the Major Investigations Task Force Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Les Green said investigators will be turning the spotlight on Mr. Hill's overseas business interests.
ACP Green told journalists at a press conference Thursday afternoon that the police received numerous complaints from depositors alleging fraud.
"As a result of this investigation, we will be conducting enquiries overseas in relation to tracing assets and additional transfer of funds and other activities that have taken place in relation to money that we believe resulted through depositors giving money to Cash Plus Limited," he said.
ACP Green urged persons with knowledge of property or assets that may have been recently transferred to Cash Plus to provide the information to the receiver manager or the police.
He said this should be done as quickly as possible so that the assets or property can be identified and recovered quickly.
In the meantime, Director of Communications of the Jamaica Constabulary Force Karl Angell confirmed that the Police High Command did a risk assessment of violent fallout across the country as a result of the latest developments.
Mr. Angell said the Police High Command discussed the possibility of any violence or actions by Cash Plus depositors and other stakeholders.
He said a risk assessment was conducted on a number of unnamed businesses to counter any potential problems.
"There is a contingency plan that has been put in place and will be led by the Operations Portfolio headed by Deputy Commissioner Linval Bailey. So we do have a plan in place for any eventuality that may take place as a result of our dynamic and ongoing investigation," he said.
(radiojamaica)