A 43-year-old Pulrose man has been convicted of attempting to conceal the proceeds of criminal property.
Paul Henry Cambpell, of Oak Avenue, pleaded guilty to the charge in court and will be sentenced on April 12, after the preparation of a probation report.
The court heard how, on September 7, Campbell had entered Ramsey post office with £1,300 in cash, made up of a mixture of different notes.
He bought a jiffy bag and at the counter, put the money into the bag.
He addressed the envelope to a ‘Maxine Roberts’ at 121 Beatrice Street in Liverpool and asked staff to post it.
However, when Campbell was asked to sign an anti-money laundering declaration form and produce identification he refused.
He then enquired about splitting the money into two packages containing two lesser amounts to avoid signing any anti-money laundering documents but left without sending it.
Post office staff were suspicious of Campbell’s actions and contacted the sorting office to advise them about what had happened with the money.
Later that day Campbell’s partner posted the money at the sorting office.
The sorting office advised the post office that the package had been posted and it was subsequently intercepted.
It was opened by police and found to contain the £1,300 which Campbell had initially tried to post.
Campbell was arrested and when interviewed admitted attempting to post the money at the post office but said that it was money for a puppy that he had purchased.
He was granted bail while police investigated his claim and checks found that there was no puppy being sold to Campbell.
He was charged with attempting to conceal, disguise, convert, transfer or remove criminal property and made no reply after caution.
The court heard that Campbell had some previous convictions.
Campbell initially pleaded not guilty to the charge and was scheduled to go to a trial on March 21 but changed his plea to guilty in court on Tuesday.
In a basis of plea, which was accepted by the prosecution, Campbell said that he had been asked by an acquaintance to send the package to Liverpool.
He said he was to be paid £50 for sending it. He said that he did not know what the money was for but admitted that he was suspicious that it involved some form of illegal activity, though not necessarily drugs.
Campbell admitted that he entered the post office and attempted to send the money to Liverpool, but stated that he was not a drug dealer.
Campbell’s plea added that he wanted to apologise for trying to send the money off-island on behalf of someone else.
Defending Campbell in court, advocate Ian Kermode said asked for an adjournment to allow time for a probation report to be prepared before sentencing.
Bail was granted in the sum of £500 with conditions that Campbell reside at his home address, attend probation meetings and not leave the island without permission of the court.
A hearing regarding the forfeiture of the £1,300 will be held on Wednesday at 10am but Campbell is not required to attend.
Court costs currently total £500.