Jamaica Resort Sues Competitors for Swiping 100 Truckloads of Beach Sand
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A developer is suing two Spanish-owned hotel groups for allegedly stealing nearly 100 truckloads of sand from a beachfront property in Jamaica.
Felicitas Limited has filed an $8 million lawsuit against RIU Hotels & Resorts and the Fiesta Hotel Group. Attorney Michael Hylton says forensic tests suggest sand at two Spanish-owned hotels is similar to that stolen in July. He says the theft paralyzed construction of a $105 million resort.
The Spanish ambassador to Jamaica, Jesus Silva, denied the accusations on Friday and said both companies have cooperated with police.
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Government spokesman Darrel Vaz said charges likely will be filed in two weeks. He declined further comment.
A construction boom has led to illegal sand mining across the Caribbean.