Rasbert Turner, Star Writer

President of the Portmore Minibus Association, Carl Campbell, has been charged with fraud after he allegedly defrauded a total of $520,000 from two persons.

Campbell, 48, of Portmore, St Catherine, was handed over to the police at Bridgeport about 4 p.m. yesterday.

He was charged with two counts of forgery, obtaining money by means of forged document and conspiracy.

Campbell allegedly collected more than $200,000 from one complainant and $320,000 from the other.

The Star was informed that the investigation started in September last year, when the fraud was allegedly uncovered.

According to the police, the Transport Authority and police conducted traffic enforcement duties in St Catherine. During the exercise, a number of vehicles were checked and several buses that plied the Spanish Town to Bayside route were found to have fraudulent road licenses.

It was revealed that as president, the complainants would give him money to secure their licences. He reportedly conspired with persons to fraudulently acquire the licences, which looked real. However, the trained eyes detected the forgery.

"When the licences were checked, they had the signatures of persons not yet held (but are under investigation). As a result, buses were seized and the owners co-operated with the police in its investigation," a senior police personnel told The Star.

The Star was told that other complainants have been identified and additional fraud charges will be brought against Campbell.

It was also revealed that the investigation has also resulted in the arrest and charge of Transport Inspector Rosemarie Rhooms.

Other persons are also being sought by the police in connection with the scam.

He was charged by Detective Corporal Kirk Roache of the Traffic Headquarters. Campbell is scheduled to appear in the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.