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UPDATE: New evidence against drug conspiracy group; case deferred

Bob Hodge (left) and Chad Skelton. Photo: VINO/File
Carlston Beazer (left) and Roberto “Tico” Harrigan. Photo:VINO/File
Carlston Beazer (left) and Roberto “Tico” Harrigan. Photo:VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The Crown has received additional evidence against the five men accused of allegedly being involved in a thirteen (13) year drug conspiracy ring and are locked in an extradition battle with the United States of America (US).

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.

30 Responses to “UPDATE: New evidence against drug conspiracy group; case deferred”

  • one eye (05/11/2012, 08:38) Like (1) Dislike (30) Reply
    all the best guys we are rooting for ya all
    • kkk (05/11/2012, 17:02) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      not wid that governor around
    • Confucius (05/11/2012, 17:14) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
      Speak for yourself One Eye. Not all of us are rooting for them! We are "rooting" for the GOOD GUYS!
    • Gods Child (23/01/2013, 19:23) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      All dem can rot in hell, the world will be better off without those sukers
      • trrefdrfds (24/01/2013, 00:52) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        @Gods Child.... Those words seem SO Christian like.... None of what you just said are of the teachings of God nor the Bible. Hypocrite.... Very few people understand the birth of the Drug Game in the first place. So many ignorant sheep, The Sumerians must be disappointed in the human race, they didn't create us to treat and talk to each other this way. But this is the part of the result when we live in the fear/greed dichotomy heavily indoctrinated into man.
  • fish bay (05/11/2012, 09:46) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    The lawyers all love this!!!! they will be millionaires when its all over...
  • release (05/11/2012, 11:22) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    The simple truth seems so difficult the USA and the governor wants these guys at all cost!!!!
  • talk girl talk (05/11/2012, 16:05) Like (7) Dislike (5) Reply
    let my people go!
  • sick (05/11/2012, 17:18) Like (0) Dislike (6) Reply
    i am sick of what these guys have been through
    • OMG (24/01/2013, 01:06) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      @sick
      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.
  • LEGAL TEAM (05/11/2012, 19:24) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    The AG and the Governor made a serious blunder in the first extradition hear.Justice redhead has ruled.They crown lost.let the men go D$$M it! I am calling on the UK to remove the Governor from office immediately!
    • not the black house yet (23/01/2013, 17:11) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      The white man is determined to get you!!!! So boys start packing
  • broke (23/01/2013, 16:28) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    by time the court done all dey money done too
    • love boat (23/01/2013, 16:56) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
      The usual he say, she say evidence now the USA coming with just to keep our brothers and fathers and husbands in jail supported by the man from the UK who has a history of being bias.
  • done (23/01/2013, 16:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    by time the court done the money these dudes got to pay lawyers will be done!
  • big bird (23/01/2013, 16:48) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Are you their accountant a$$
  • wize-up (23/01/2013, 18:57) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    whay cant these guys get bail; they have no where to run right now
  • Gods Child (23/01/2013, 19:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Love boat, you sound pretty worthless, i don't dem worthless culprit in my family
  • aa 1450 (23/01/2013, 21:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Uncle sam will not rest until he gets them
  • clown (24/01/2013, 04:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    y bob them spending all this money on lawyers yo, spend some money on breaking outer jail yo and bust of from this place caz the US WANT AYO BADDDDDDDDDDD
  • legal team (24/01/2013, 08:02) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I have a serious concern with this new development of NEW EVIDENCE! What is NEW EVIDENCE?Where was this evidence all the time?They said it was a thirteen-year investigation!I believe in the justice system,but the Governor and the A.G must accept that they made a "MAKAKWEE" of this first hearing before the now retired senior magistarte:Therefore,the Governor and the A.G must now resign in Public Interest;because they have shown me that either they do not understand BVI laws or they are just LAWLESS!
    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!!
  • island boys (24/01/2013, 08:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I thought they would have gone in the first place and spend the real big $$$$$$ up there where the problem is
    on a good attorney and less all the times they are just not thinking
  • big daddy (24/01/2013, 09:03) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    what crime/offense did these guys commit in US territory? the drugs/plane/pilots all US Did BVI airport control give them permission to enter BVI airspace ? I haven,t heard about pilot being arrested or tried in court where is the plane ? in BVI custody? If they imported drugs into BVI then let BVI try dem for dat WHY de U S ?


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