UPDATE: New evidence against drug conspiracy group; case deferred
The accused men in the matter are Roberto “Tico” Harrigan, Carlston Beazer, Chad Skelton, Earl ‘Bob’ Hodge and Juan Valdez. Hodge was described as the alleged mastermind of the ring.
The information about the new evidence was related by Attorney at Law Natalie Sandiford of the Attorney General’s Chambers to Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards at the Magistrate’s Court today, January 23, 2013
Sandiford announced that disclosure has already been made to the defendants and noted that the matter is at present before the Supreme Court, pending a judicial review of a recently filed application.
The Court was told that the review was scheduled to be heard on January 31, 2013. However, it was stated that the matter might not conclude on the scheduled date and therefore the Magistrates’ court was asked to consider that situation in relation to selecting a case reporting date.
The matter has now been’ set for report before the Magistrates court on February 27, 2013.
See previous story posted November 5, 2012:
'Bob' Hodge & Chad Skelton mount judicial review of fresh extradition request
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Drug accused men, Chad Skelton and Earl ‘Bob’ Hodge have decided to mount a defence to the new extradition request recently made by the United States of America.
When they appeared before the Magistrate’s Court on November 1, 2012 it was announced that the two had filed an appeal in the High Court for a judicial review of the request made by local authorities.
The duo are part of a group of five men accused of being involved in a thirteen year multi-million dollar drug ring that involved the Virgin Islands as one of the transshipment points.
It was announced on October 12, 2012 that the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions would drop the local charges against the five men and institute fresh extradition proceedings to have the men tried in the USA.
Ms Natalie Sandiford, of the Attorney General’s (AG’s) Chambers, stated that in relation to extradition proceedings, warrants were served on all of the men that day and a fresh order to proceed in respect to the Florida Request was issued on the day before.
Hodge’s lawyer, Herbert McKenzie, told the court that he would be filing a Judicial Review in the High court and explained that it would not be prudent to proceed with a hearing at the Magistrate’s court at the moment. Skelton’s lawyer, Menelik Miller, indicated that he would be pursuing a similar course of action on behalf of his client.
The other accused men in the matter are Roberto “Tico” Harrigan, Carlston Beazer and Juan Valdez. Hodge was described as the alleged mastermind of the ring.
Valdez’s lawyer, Stephen Daniels, indicated that he would not pursue the route of the judicial review for his client.
Magistrate Tamia Richards then asked that the case be set for report on January 23, 2013.
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30 Responses to “UPDATE: New evidence against drug conspiracy group; case deferred”
You sick of what these guys have been through, but have you look around you and see the lives destroyed by drugs, or the glamour of the money have you dazed? Check your morals.
The men are seeking a review in the supreme court,and at the same time,the A.G is presenting new Evidence at a lowermagistrate's court? The Magistrate should NOT entertain the hearing until the decision of the SUPREME Court!!What sought of abuse and travesty of our justice system is that? I am not concern about the individuals who are accused of drug smuggling.They are not victims of violent crimes-they are human beings and they are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law,so I will not condemn them because they are facing extradition:For a matter of fact-presently the men are not even charged before the court with a criminal offence,because the DPP has discontinued the criminal prosecution of these men! The Crown/DPP,A.G and Governor:They all Mock-up this whole case!In the name of respect for the justice system-Let the daaaam men go! You have already dropped the charges against them.Go and apologize to the USA-You all have disappointed Her Majesty:you bunch of Diplomatic JOKERS!!
on a good attorney and less all the times they are just not thinking