SM JALEEL & COMPANY LTD., Trinidad Juices Update #3 A further update to Trinidad Juices events. 1) What was the company’s reaction after hearing the news US$100, 000, 000 of cocaine was found in one of its products? Since SM Jaleel did not make the shipment, we were horrified and shocked. The owners of the company and many of our staff are traumatized since we pride ourselves on being a model of local business success and on being Trinidad and Tobago’s #1 exporter of non-petro chemical products, operating in 5 continents. 2) How much of a blow is it to the company’s respected reputation not just locally and regionally, but internationally? And does this hurt the SM Jaleel brand? It is a significant and devastating blow. The Company is celebrating its 90th year this year, being founded in 1924 and is owned and operated by the 3rd and 4th generation of the founding family. We have always had a reputation of integrity both locally and internationally. 3) What is SM Jaleel doing about the situation, and have you began working with investigators? We need to make it abundantly clear that this container was not shipped by SM Jaleel. From all accounts the shipment was not exclusively juice and was an unregulated consolidated container with other products from Trinidad not associated with SM Jaleel. We have been reliably informed that the container in question was shipped from the port of Port of Spain to Norfolk Virginia by one of two shipping lines which operate a service to Norfolk Virginia. SM Jaleel & Co ltd ships to the USA with Seaboard Marine from Point Lisas port to Brooklyn. The last such shipment was in November, over 6 weeks before this incident. Our information is that external investigations are being conducted in the USA using information stated on the Bill of Lading from the shipping line. 4) Does the company believe it is being used by external factors to fuel this illegal trade? SM Jaleel has over 90 years of dedicated service to the socioeconomic landscape of Trinidad and Tobago, is a substantial employer as well as the largest non-petrochemical exporter in the country. It is a model of local business success; unfortunately, some of its brands and products appear to be targeted. Perhaps this is because of the brands are so well recognized internationally.
Posted on: Mon, 20 Jan 2014 20:39:10 +0000
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