Mr. Leblanc was employed at the Registry for five years but the issuance of the false birth certificates began about five months ago, a high level police official said. Police discovered the passport scam recently when they received reports that three non-Dominicans left the island from the Canefield Airport using Dominican passports. In addition, there were unconfirmed reports that a former policeman was picked up in Canada with several passports he could not account for. There is an apparent link between the former policeman and the two men who were charged last week, a police official said. 1 Corporal Lewis has been suspended from active duty.
Police are anxious to locate an individual believed to be the mastermind behind the passport scam.
The police official is accused of taking the false birth certificates to the Immigration Department, and because of his rank, recommending the issuance of passports. The documents were then legitimately signed an issued to him, police officials told the Independent. The passport scam involving members of the Police Force has sparked speculation that this may be the precursor to the revelations of police misconduct contained in the report of the inquiry into the affairs of the Police Force. The Commission of Inquiry which ended on August 26, heard evidence from 155 witnesses. Mr. Orville A. Durant said last month the report would be presented to President Sorhaindo by the end of September, 1997.