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Alleged drug-ring member ‎Juan Valdez released!

- Justice Vicki Ann Ellis rules against Valdez being extradited to the US
The Appelate Court heard this morning, January 7, 2015 that while Juan Valdez hails from the Dominican Republic ‎he will be repatriated to Antigua as he has dual citizenship. Photo: VINO/File
Roberto ‘Tico’ Harrigan and Earl 'Bob' Hodge were released from prison on December 23, 2014 . Photo: VINO/File
Roberto ‘Tico’ Harrigan and Earl 'Bob' Hodge were released from prison on December 23, 2014 . Photo: VINO/File
Carlston Beazer (left) and Chad Skelton were also set free on December 23, 2014. Photo: VINO/File
Carlston Beazer (left) and Chad Skelton were also set free on December 23, 2014. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Juan Valdez, the fifth man implicated in a drug related matter which had seen the United States District Court, Southern, District of Florida seeking his extradition from the Virgin Islands to the USA to face the justice system there for conspiring to import and distribute cocaine in the USA, gained his freedom today, January 7, 2015.

The four other accused, Earle 'Bob' Hodge, Roberto 'Tico' Harrigan, Chad Skelton and Carlston Beazer won their freedom shortly before Christmas when Justice Vicki Ann Ellis ruled against the extradition attempt in a Judicial Review in the High Court. 

Justice Ellis granted the release of Valdez on the same grounds of the other four.

The court heard this morning that while Valdez hails from the Dominican Republic ‎he will be repatriated to Antigua as he has dual citizenship. He has to also stand the costs for his repatriation.

‎It is not clear exactly when Valdez will leave the territory as the paper works are being sorted out as ordered by the court but he will be released from the custody of Her Majesty's Prison to the custody of Immigration.

Previously, Justice Vicki Ann Ellis’ 51-page ruling summed up her decision against former Governor William Boyd McCleary, saying the court found that there was no independent judgment exercised by the him (McCleary) in making his decision to issue an extradition order.

As a result on December 22, 2014 before Justice Vicki Ann Ellis, Earl ‘Bob’ Hodge, Carlston Beazer, Chad Skelton and Roberto ‘Tico’ Harrigan had seen a mountain moved, clearing a way for them to get their liberty and return to life away from the steel bars that held them hostage at Her Majesty’s Prison, Balsum Ghut.

According to Justice Ellis the court is satisfied that a quashing order would only be appropriate where some collateral error could be made out in the decision making process.

14 Responses to “Alleged drug-ring member ‎Juan Valdez released!”

  • mule (07/01/2015, 13:53) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Is this an "I ride to freedom on top of 4 mules who indirectly paid a SUBSTANTIAL amount of my lawyer fees"?
    • the rock (07/01/2015, 15:16) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      is valdez a ghost why can the media not show his pic!
      • yeah (08/01/2015, 15:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        I AGREE. FOR YEARS YOU HEARD THIS MAN NAME AND NO PICTURE. IS HE UNDERCOVER? WHAT IS THE DEAL?
  • tretretrete (07/01/2015, 14:35) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    the real winners here are the lawyers!!! everybody else pocket hut, reputation hut, head hut
  • DON Q (07/01/2015, 14:37) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    Good news
  • gkefkkdakxq (07/01/2015, 15:26) Like (3) Dislike (29) Reply
    Just so happy my hero bob is out!!!
  • Dulcina (07/01/2015, 16:20) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am wondering if this man is a figment of imagination.

  • wize up (07/01/2015, 17:08) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    is this Juan Valdez the coffee man !!!!!!
  • facts (07/01/2015, 18:54) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    let deport thoes whilte callar crimanls
  • Citizen (08/01/2015, 10:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

     Karma always bring about justice the right way. You reap what you sow. Hope you are on the right side of Justice My Lady



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