Jamaica DIGICEL staff upset at police action

(Jamaica Observer) Telecommunications company DIGICEL said staff at its New Kingston office was upset by the conduct of officials of the Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) and police personnel which resulted in them being inconvenienced.

In a release to the media, DIGICEL said cops with high-powered weapons descended on the company’s New Kingston office to serve a search order issued by the Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) late Thursday afternoon.

“Officials from the TAJ were accompanied by members of the police force bearing high-powered firearms who prevented Digicel staff leaving at the end of the working day –  which has resulted in major and unnecessary upset amongst Digicel staff,” the release stated.

The search order is the product of a TAJ audit of the information systems and data of the telecommunications sector.

DIGICEL however contends that it has complied with all the requirements of the TAJ.

“Digicel is shocked and offended by the abuse of process and approach undertaken by the TAJ in this matter – especially as all information which the TAJ was seeking pursuant to the order, and which the Telecommunications Act allowed Digicel to provide, had already been supplied,” the release stated.

The company’s attorneys will return to Court on Tuesday in relation to the case.