4 soldiers in custody for $22m raid probe

FOUR soldiers were held on Wednesday for questioning about the removal of an envelope of money from a house in La Horquetta where $22 million were seized in a probe of an alleged pyramid scheme.

A home security camera showed a man, identified as a member of the Defence Force, stuffing an envelope filled with cash into his crotch while another soldier looked on.

Police Commissioner Gary Griffith confirmed the four soldiers were in police custody.

"Everybody trying to cover for the other. I am taking full control. Four were in the operation. They tried the ploy of saying they did not know which soldier it was," Griffith said on Wednesday.

"I am also directing the investigation of senior officers who released $22 million without proper procedure. I see this as either incompetence or contributing to a crime. Whichever one, action will be taken."

Griffith is set to go on vacation for a month on Friday but has said he will work during his leave as he will oversee the investigation while abroad in Ireland.

On September 22, a joint task force raided a house in La Horquetta where $22 million were found in boxes, containers and desks in what investigators have described as the Drug Sou-Sou. The owner of the house, a solider, has denied wrongdoing. The money was returned within hours without the consent of the Police Commissioner.