Singer Alaine Laughton is denying that she had anything to do with clearing the 2007 BMW 530i motor car for which she has been fined by the Jamaica Customs Department.

In a release sent out by the Jamaica Customs Department yesterday, it was reported that last year, Alaine imported a damaged 2007 BMW 530i motor car with a declared value of US$8,915.00 FOB (freight on board). 

value was understated 

The release stated, "The Customs Department subsequently carried out investigations which revealed that the value was understated. As a result, the vehicle was seized and a penalty of three times the duties avoided was imposed, that is JA$1,388,000.00, for breaching Sections 209 and 210 of the Customs Act." 

It further stated: "Ms Laughton has since paid the penalty and additional duties to facilitate the return of the vehicle. She has also apologised to the Customs Department for the breach, as she claimed the importation was done in her name but that she had nothing to do with the shipping or clearance of the vehicle." 

When THE STAR spoke with the songstress, she said she purchased the car a year ago for herself and that the incident was an unfortunate one that she had dealt with. 


customs broker 


Alaine's 2007 BMW 530i motor car. - Contributed 

"I purchased the car abroad and handed over all the dealings to the customs broker who handled all the dealings and I got my car. I didn't deal with any of the paperwork and I had nothing to do with the business. When we found what the customs broker did, I paid whatever the difference was," she said. 

Thus far, the singer has had a squeaky-clean record until now and she hopes that her fans will continue to focus on her music, which she considers to be positive. Currently, the singer has two videos climbing the musical charts, Never Done and Forever More, featuring Tarrus Riley. She also recently released her collaboration with Buju Banton titled Luv-A-Duband is working on her sophomore album of the same name.


-- Edited by waw on Tuesday 12th of May 2009 07:09:40 PM

-- Edited by waw on Tuesday 12th of May 2009 07:10:44 PM