Is it funny or weird that more than 500 truckloads of white sand disappeared from one of the main beaches in Jamaica? Or is it just sad and worrying? Jamaican authorities have been investigating for over one year the disappearance of one of their beaches.

In July 2008 it was first discovered that more than 500 truckloads of sand were removed from a planned resort at Coral Springs, near Duncans in Trelawny. The main suspects at that time were the people in the tourism industry, on the island. Great sand for a private beach is a must-have asset. But how can you steal hundreds of tons of sand, where can you deposit it or how can you transport it on land and sea without someone noticing it?

The “murder scene” was the next spot for one of the greatest Jamaican business in the late years. The Felicitas Limited consortium, that includes 15 of the most successful Jamaican entrepreneurs, was planning to invest $8 billion in developing 36 six-star ultra luxury villas with spa, restaurant, amphitheater and marina. Now, the whole plan is on hold “until the 500 truckloads of sand are recovered”, as Frederick Moe – project manager says.

The authorities were overwhelmed. It was maybe the most complex Jamaican investigation. The local police, the state minister Daryl Vaz, the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), the Mining and Geology Department and the Island Special Constabulary Force (ISCF) – all these formed committees of investigation, conducted inspections and nothing happened. Even the Prime Minister and the Parliament requested reports on the case. Not a single clue about who could be responsible for this environmental tragedy.

Is it the tourism mogul’s interests? Was this $8 billion investing plan disturbing and threatening for the other local tourism operators? If so, how can no one be found responsible after more than 13 months of investigation? If nothing was cleared up until now, this will continue to remain one of the oddest mysteries in Jamaica.

Image credit: 1.

News source: BBC, The Telegraph, Jamaica Gleaner.

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