MONTEGO BAY cambio operator Adrian 'Ruddy' Armstrong who is wanted in the United States on money laundering charges was yesterday granted bail in the sum of $5 million with surety.
Armstrong was picked up last month by detectives from the Police Narcotics Division at the request of the United States Government, on a provisional warrant of arrest.
Mrs. Justice Almarie Sinclair-Haynes (acting) granted Armstrong bail after hearing legal arguments in chambers at the Supreme Court from attorney-at-law Jacqueline Samuels Brown. Ms. Samuels Brown had argued that the only information available to the court as it relates to Armstrong's incarceration was the diplomatic note which authorised the provisional warrant on which he was held.
Crown Counsel Donald Bryan who represented the Crown had opposed the application.
It is alleged that the United States authorities are seeking the 48-year-old Armstrong's extradition for his suspected role in money laundering activities.
Armstrong, operator of the Grand Central Cambio and Cheque Changer, was picked up about 12.30 p.m. on June 19 at a restaurant in the fishing community of Whitehouse, St. James. It is said that his cambios were searched as was his Bay Pointe Apartment in the Montego Bay Freeport area. The Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) has since suspended operations at the Grand Central Cambio locations throughout Montego Bay.
