The Supreme Court has ordered the freezing of the bank accounts of Jean Hubert Celerine, alias Franklin, as well as those held by three of his companies and eight other people, who are close to the inhabitant of Black River. The order was issued following a request made by the Financial Intelligence Unit under sections 9 and 10 of the Asset Recovery Act.
The FIU has initiated a money laundering investigation against Franklin and for possession of money suspected of being derived from illegal activities.
Jean Hubert Celerine came to public attention after a video was posted on social media alleging that he was close to a senior police officer.
The Financial Intelligence Unit is currently conducting a criminal investigation into Franklin. This is the reason why it requested and obtained a freeze on his bank accounts as well as those of his relatives and three of his companies.
On Friday 20 January, the FIU filed an affidavit with the Supreme Court requesting the freezing order. The application was granted by the Supreme Court on Monday 23 January.
It turns out that two of the accounts of Franklin, who is suspected of being the head of a cartel, are in the names of family members who are still minors. Restraining Orders under Sections 9 and 10 of the Asset Recovery Act also target the financial assets of his relatives and his three companies: Ti-Mimi Grill Fast Food Ltd, TopFleet Car Rental Ltd and New-York Boutik Ltd. After researching the Registrar of Companies, the FIU has confirmed that the Black River boss is the head of these three companies worth Rs 15 million.
