Carlos Rafael, known as 'the Codfather'. (Photo: GigstoGo YouTube)

Sheriff’s office captain accused of helping ‘Codfather’ smuggle money

UNITED STATES
Friday, September 01, 2017, 23:50 (GMT + 9)

A Captain with the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office was arrested and charged for helping Carlos Rafael, known as "the Codfather" smuggle the profits of his illegal overfishing scheme to Portugal.

The Captain, James Melo, of North Dartmouth, Massachusetts, was charged with one count each of bulk cash smuggling, structuring and conspiracy. He was released on a USD 10,000 unsecured bond following his appearance in federal court in Boston late on Wednesday.

In May 2015, federal agents began an undercover operation targeting Carlos Rafael and they found out that the fishing businessman had hid the cash proceeds of his illegal fishing sales, in part, by smuggling the money to Portugal. He sometimes took the money himself, but also used the services of others, and referred to knowing several members of the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office, including Melo, whom he described as, “the captain at the prison.”

In November, 2015, agents conducting surveillance at Logan Airport saw Melo and Rafael arrive and found that Melo completed TSA screening without incident, but Rafael was found in possession of USD 27,000, for which he completed a financial affidavit.

Several other acquaintances of Rafael and Melo were also on the flight and, allegedly coordinated by Melo, helped Rafael smuggle an additional USD 50,000 in cash to Portugal.

It is further alleged that before the flight, Melo distributed envelopes of cash to these acquaintances, each of whom took an envelope on the flight and returned it to Melo or Rafael after landing in Portugal. Two days later, Portuguese bank records indicate that USD 76,000 in US currency was deposited into a Banif Bank account in Rafael’s name.

The charge of conspiracy provides for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of USD 250,000. The charge of bulk cash smuggling provides for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of USD 250,000.

The charge of structuring carries a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of USD 500,000.

Related articles:

- Codfather’s associate convicted in cash smuggling scheme
- ‘The Codfather’ pleads guilty of fishing quota fraud
- 'Codfather' seafood mogul pleads guilty in fish scam

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