Two American brothers facing charges related to money-laundering appeared in Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

Jeff Bajayo, 67, from New York, and Eli Bajayo, 59, from Florida, were charged with possessing $11,103 cash and a Rolex watch, worth $23,900, that they knew to represent, wholly or partially, the proceeds of criminal conduct, on a date between March 5 and March 8.

Jeff Bajayo was also charged with possessing a different Rolex watch that he knew to represent, wholly or partially, the proceeds of crime, on December 19 last year.

Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Cindy Clarke told the court that the men were apprehended at the airport when they were trying to leave the Island.

She added that the Rolex watch had allegedly been purchased at a local jewellery store the day before their intended departure.

The brothers were not required to enter a plea because the offences are indictable and will be tried in Supreme Court.

Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo granted both men $15,000 bail with a like surety on the condition that they surrender their travel documents, not leave the jurisdiction without permission of the courts, notify the Police of their residence and report twice a week to the nearest Police station.

Mr Tokunbo also ordered that their personal credit cards be returned to them.

The matter was adjourned to March 18 for mention.