The three Coye’s who appeared in court were released on bail though the police prosecutor objected to it. He warned that they pose a flight risk. Still, Chief Magistrate Margaret McKenzie released them on 50 thousand dollars bail each. They had to turn in their travel documents and report to the clerk of court weekly. After securing bail we spoke to Melonie and her attorney Dickie Bradley.
Melonie Coye, Charged for Money Laundering
“It is a false accusation and I know people are wondering why we had so much funds at my parents house but the problem is that it was the 31st of December, we know we were in a very festive time of the year where we were having a lot of people coming back and forth; I was there all day on that same day on the 31st. We stayed open a little longer just to serve the Belizean public so we didn’t have time to really go to the bank to deposit some of the funds plus in addition to that it was not only Money Gram Funds, it was also other businesses; my mom has her floral business.”
Keith Swift,
But $1.5 million is a lot of money.
Melonie Coye,
“No but we have several funds there, you understand; e-pin money that we had just deposited and things like that so we had some funds put up there.”
Keith Swift,
Why did you have it in suitcases?
Melonie Coye,
“I wasn’t at home; my parents had put up the money because they had to deposit it.”
Keith Swift,
Did you have intentions to move the money because the FIU is saying the reason they moved on you guys on Wednesday evening was because they got information that you guys were planning to move the money?
Melonie Coye,
“That is ridiculous, no way. If we wanted to do that, we were at the office all day – why would we…”
Keith Swift,
Why were you targeted or who you think tipped off the FIU?
Melonie Coye,
“We would like to know ourselves. We would really like to know. This is all strange, I think it is competitors. I think it is competition.”
Dickie Bradley, Attorney for Coye Family
“There is no law against keeping large amounts of money in your home and in your vehicle. It is not prudent, it is not a good thing but if you are engaged in a business, which in fact this is the situation, then there is nothing illegal about it.”
The Coyes list the name of their company as Money Transfer International Limited which they operate from Money Gram locations in Belize City, Ladyville, San Pedro, and Dangriga. They claim to have been in business for more than 2 years. They are due back in court on February 4th.
