Trade Board licence now key in $3-million Toyota Voxy court case

MONTEGO BAY, St James — A disputed $3-million purchase of a 2018 Toyota Voxy bus remains before the St James Parish Court, where the case now turns on import documentation, delivery concerns, and digital messages between the parties.

Mario Clarke, who is accused in connection with allegations of fraudulent conversion arising from the transaction, appeared in court on Wednesday before Judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton. Attorney-at-law Henry McCurdy represents Clarke, while Tamika Spencer-Anderson appears for the complainant.

The matter had last been before the court on April 29. During that appearance, McCurdy said the pace of the case had been affected by delays linked to Hurricane Melissa. He also told the court he had been informed that the vehicle was believed to be in Jamaica and should be delivered to the complainant in about two weeks.

On Wednesday, McCurdy said he had subsequently spoken with a customs broker. He advised that the next step in moving the importation along depends on a Trade Board licence being issued.

The court clerk, meanwhile, told the court that two items are still not before the court: a statement from the arresting officer and a functionality certificate connected to WhatsApp conversations between Clarke and the complainant. Those messages form part of the material being relied on in the case.

Judge Fairclough-Hylton continued Clarke’s bail and set the matter for further mention on June 17. A trial date is expected to be fixed at that hearing.

According to court documents, the complainant first paid $1.5 million in September 2025 towards the Toyota Voxy. A second payment of $1.5 million was made in October 2025, allegedly through a third party, for shipping and importation expenses.

The documents state that Clarke acknowledged receiving the full $3 million. By November 2025, he reportedly told the complainant the vehicle had reached Jamaica, then later referred to a problem that needed to be addressed.

The complainant reportedly made several efforts to obtain the vehicle, recover the money, or receive clear information on the transaction, but those attempts were unsuccessful. A police report was later made, after which Clarke was arrested and charged.