UPDATE- Pre-trial in alleged drug traffickers’ saga set for June 18
Bob Hodge, Roberto Harrigan, Juan Valdez, Carlton Beazer and Chad Skelton are facing extradition to the Southern District of Florida for alleged conspiracy to import cocaine, while a similar request for Hodge was made by the North Carolina authorities.
It is alleged that the men were involved in a 13 year trans-Atlantic drug trade where approximately 4,518 kilogrammes of cocaine were airdropped in Virgin Islands’ (VI) waters.
However, Virgin Islands News Online was reliably informed that at the June 18 hearing, Judge Kelvin John will review all documentation including submissions and applications necessary, and if satisfied, will set a trial date.
On March 13, 2012, Senior Magistrate Valerie Stephens had ruled in favour of the Crown to have the accused men be extradited and informed them of their rights to make a habeas corpus petition in the High Court.
The lawyers had filed petitions between March 27 and 28, 2012, the court records revealed. A habeas corpus is a writ, or legal action, through which a prisoner can be released from unlawful detention,that is, detention lacking sufficient cause or evidence.
Hodge was represented by Julian Knowles, QC; Skelton by Tana’nia Davis-Small; Richard Rowe for Beazer; Stephen Daniels for Valdez and PatrickThompson for Harrigan.
Appearing for the Crown at this morning case management were Attorney General (AG) Dr. Christopher Malcolm and Senior Crown Counsel Valston Graham.
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