Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

Colombian national, 28-year-old Rueben Hernandez, who was charged with unlawful possession of property after the police found US$89,000 and J$4.7 million (approximately J$10 million in total) at his Montego Bay, St. James, apartment in March, was acquitted of the charge in the Montego Bay RM court on Thursday.

The money was returned.

"I feel bad about the whole thing," said Hernandez's attorney, George Thomas. "It is as if the police are picking on my client because the money he was charged for was previously given back to him by the court after he was similarly charged on a previous occasion."

Deportation order

With the unlawful possession charge now out of the way, the Colombian, who came to Jamaica on a football contract with Wadadah Football Club in 2003, is now challenging a deportation order, which was made against him after he was arrested on the unlawful possession of property charge.

After the deportation order was made in the Montego Bay RM Court, Hernandez appealed the order before the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court subsequently ruled that the deportation order be stayed, pending the outcome of the case.

Hernandez first came in contact with the law in 2005 when the police raided his Leaders Avenue home and found US$355,000. He was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of property but was subsequently acquitted in court after the crown failed to prove that he had acquired the money through illegal means.

Second arrest

When Hernandez was arrested for a second time in March, Wadadah F.C. was dragged into the spotlight as concerns were raised about the legitimacy of the work permit the club had secured for the Colombian. In addition, the Financial Investigation Division of the Jamaica Constabulary Force launched an investigation into the operations of the club, intimating possible ties with persons involved in the illegal narcotics trade.

During the much-publicised probe, the homes of coach Anthony 'Follies' Williams, manager Gene Grey, and other club officials were searched by the police. Concerns were also raised about why Hernandez, who was signed to the club as a goalkeeper, had not played any competitive games.

In explaining Hernandez's non-appearance in games, club officials claimed that while preparing for the 2003 Western Super League, the Colombian had sustained a serious back injury and had been out of action since.