Apr.19, 1:38 AM
(Fort Myers, FL.) -- Florida Department of Law Enforcement Special Agents arrested two more individuals Friday who authorities say were involved in a marijuana trafficking and money laundering operation. Alexis Anthony Foster, 26, of Orlando, and Kesha Vashanda Jennings, 35, of Bartow, were charged with racketeering, conspiracy to traffic in marijuana (more than 25 pounds), and money laundering.
Their arrests followed two conducted Wednesday when Carlton Wayne Smith, 43, of Rancho Dominguez, Ca. and Christopher Lee Pinnock, 36, of Avon Park, Fl. were apprehended for their role in the operation.
Smith, a Jamaican national, had previously been deported from the United States but had illegally re-entered. Police say Smith used several aliases while conducting his drug trafficking and money laundering activities. Agents say the scheme involved using multiple methods of transmitting drug proceeds, including money wire services. Funds were transmitted in U.S. dollars via wire to Jamaica where a member of the organization there would then receive it in Jamaican currency to thwart detection.
How the investigation began
FDLE began its investigation in October 2008 after an Avon Park bank contacted investigators regarding numerous cash deposits Pinnock had made in Smith’s account over a one-year period, totaling more than $700,000. The deposits were made in banks located in Highlands and Polk counties.
Further investigation revealed that the accounts were being used by Pinnock and Smith to funnel payments for shipments of marijuana. Pinnock, Foster, and Jennings are believed to have worked with Smith to receive and distribute marijuana in several cities in Florida and other states. The four used various bank accounts to make cash deposits and hide their activities.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement assisted FDLE in the investigation. This case will be prosecuted by Attorney General Bill McCollum’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.