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UPDATE- Pre-trial in alleged drug traffickers’ saga set for June 18

Skelton (left) who is a businessman and Harrigan, a former Customs Officer, are facing extradition to the USA. Photo: VINO
Hodge (left) is the alleged mastermind, and Beazer. Photo: VINO
Hodge (left) is the alleged mastermind, and Beazer. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – After some two hours of case management this morning May 1, 2012, the Crown and lawyers for five men wanted in the United States of America for narco-trafficking will converge at the High Court on June18, 2012 for a pre-trial hearing.

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.

18 Responses to “UPDATE- Pre-trial in alleged drug traffickers’ saga set for June 18”

  • safe trip (01/05/2012, 08:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    enjoy the flight fools
    • zeeeeeeeeeeeee (01/05/2012, 08:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      to safe trip...hush and scatter your jealious hater self. our sons aint going no where god is good..hope your turn do not come!!!
      • safe trip (01/05/2012, 11:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Jealous of what? LOL, I have nothing to be jealous about, I dont have to watch behind me when i drop the soap in the bathtub!
    • Confucius (01/05/2012, 09:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Amen!
    • pops (01/05/2012, 09:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I wish them well
    • will mill (01/05/2012, 10:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Do the crime if they have facts then somebody got to spend some time either here or up north!!!
  • confisious (01/05/2012, 10:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    the USA wants them and will leave no stones unturn to get them
  • sea weed (01/05/2012, 11:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    If they go its sad if they stay its say!
  • Dangerzone (01/05/2012, 12:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    FREE SOSA DEH MAN! SOSA comin home dont mind all that noise is pure hearsay. the man was in school back in them days what 13 year ring dem talkin bout misson? we done planning deh party hurry come starr.
    • no justice no peace (01/05/2012, 21:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Jeez um Bread where is the justice in this?? yet another date????by time they done it will be two years in jail!!!
    • street man (02/05/2012, 07:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      And we miss Bob from the race track...horse race seems to be going down without him. The rotten system needs to free these men. If they had something on them they would have gone look time but the fact that they are in there for so long means they have nothing on them. So more injustice against the black man and on top of that they from here and you know how this place hates locals.
  • taxpayer (01/05/2012, 12:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hmmmm; The Governor is on vacation? I wonder if he knew what was coming and decide to skip town. The question is will the lady act or await his return. She would be well advised to act prudently knowing the situation.
    • tell the truth (01/05/2012, 21:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      people I got the balls to speak the truth....reality is these fellas going straight to the USA only because they are black and the USA is all powerful...end of story ova & out!!!!
  • 360 (02/05/2012, 07:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    What they really need to talk about is how slow the system is which means no justice for BVIslanders who becomes the real victim of the snail paced judicial system a legal system who does not care how long you spend in jail before your trial and how much you have to pay these expensive lawyers.
  • my two cents (02/05/2012, 09:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I pray for the release of all these fathers, brothers, uncles who have been falsely accused.
  • Janet Williams (02/05/2012, 12:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    i post a psotive blog on Platinum on this story and almost 24 hrs after they have not posted it. That site is so bias...never me again..thank you vino for always keeping it real and honest


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