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UPDATE: Two witnesses called in alleged drug traffickers’ extradition hearing

Chad Skelton (left) and Roberto Harrigan. Photo: VINO
From left to right Harrigan, Skelton and Beazer. Photo: VINO
From left to right Harrigan, Skelton and Beazer. Photo: VINO
Hodge and Valdez cover their faces while leaving court. Photo: VINO
Hodge and Valdez cover their faces while leaving court. Photo: VINO
Beazer as he is about to enter the High Court this morning, February 3, 2012. Photo: VINO
Beazer as he is about to enter the High Court this morning, February 3, 2012. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Sian Evans and Chief Inspector Thomas Murray were the Crown’s two witnesses in the extradition hearing of five alleged drug traffickers that is currently underway today February 3, 2012 in the High Court.

Earl ‘Bob’ Hodge, Chad Skelton, Juan Valdez, Carlston Beazer and Roberto Harrigan are jointly charged with conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States and are wanted in the Southern District of Florida to face narco-trafficking charges.

Meanwhile, a request from the North Carolina District is seeking the extradition of Hodge to face conspiracy to import cocaine in that jurisdiction.

First up on the stand was Ms. Evans, head of the Governor’s Office, and was examined by former Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Terrance Williams about her knowledge of the correspondence between the US Embassy and the Governor’s Office.

According to her, she received diplomatic notes indicating the US’s intention to have the men extradited. Evans also revealed that Governor Boyd McCleary sought the legal advice of the Virgin Islands’ Attorney General Office and the Foreign Commonwealth Office in the United Kingdom (UK) before signing the necessary documents for the hearing to commence.

She was cross examined by Julian Knowles, QC and Patrick Thompson on Governor McCleary's asking for advice from the AG or FCO, to which Evans replied that he would have.

Knowles and Herbert McKenzie are representing Hodge, Beazer is represented by Richard Rowe; Tana'ania Small-Davis is representing Skelton; Harrigan by Thompson and Valdez has secured the services of Daniels.

Williams and Crown Counsel Valston Graham appear for the Crown.

Furthermore, Chief Inspector Murray, who is currently on the stand, revealed that on September 3, 2011 he saw Bob Hodge at the Magistrate’s Court and give him a copy of the provisional warrant.

Since their arrest on August 24, 2011 at their respective homes, Hodge, Skelton, Beazer and Harrigan have captivated the Territory with their alleged shenanigans in evading the law in their drug operation that first caught the attention of law enforcement officers in 1998.

Apart from the conspiracy offence, the quartet is charged with conspiracy to import a controlled drug, while Hodge is also charged with the unlawful possession of a prohibited firearm, unlawful possession of explosives, one count of acquisition and possession of used proceeds of criminal conduct. In addition to that, he is facing four counts of being in possession of cocaine with the intent to supply and four counts of importation of cocaine.

Harrigan, a Customs Officer, is facing two counts of abuse of authority in facilitating the entry of persons for illegal purposes into the Territory, one count of acquisition and possession of used proceeds of criminal conduct and one count of criminal proceeds, and bribery by a public officer.

Additionally, Skelton and Beazer are both charged with one count of acquisition and possession of used proceeds of criminal conduct, four counts of being in possession of cocaine with the intent to supply and four counts of importation of the controlled drug respectively.

However, these charges are pending.

During a court hearing on August 27, 2011, Crown Counsel Valston Graham told the court that throughout the years Hodge and his alleged accomplices allegedly picked up some 4,518 kilogrammes of cocaine from airdrops in VI waters, with Beazer and Skelton allegedly assisting in the recovery of the illegal substance.

21 Responses to “UPDATE: Two witnesses called in alleged drug traffickers’ extradition hearing ”

  • billy b (03/02/2012, 07:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    oooouuu ba ba bi ba, how time!!!
  • mother hen (03/02/2012, 08:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let my people go they are only being held because they are black and that is a fact!
    • Old cock (03/02/2012, 09:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      This has nothing to do with color so dont even go there. It has to do with the white powder that this island new for years was being moved around. I hope that get a verrrrry long sentence once they reach the USA
    • LOL!!! (03/02/2012, 11:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      They are being held because they are black? Is that why the people who are holding them, who by the way are also black are holding them??
    • Maria (03/02/2012, 15:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      You are il-literate. If they do the crime, then pay the time.
      • history (03/02/2012, 18:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        but that is the point they did nothing wrong and deserved to be set free and who got them held knows it. BAM
    • Maria (03/02/2012, 15:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Mother Hen go back to sleep, you sound do damn stupid. You do D crime, you pay D time. They have grandchildren living in that house, that's the example they show. Dem children learn drugs.
  • naughty (03/02/2012, 08:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I guess that will be L & Be-gone-for-good stables!
    • tom boy (03/02/2012, 09:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Hush your jealous backside "naughty" L & B aint going no way haters they are here to stay…the people did not do anything and the police knows it …again is just because they are locals..they will go free soon trust me as they did nothing worng.
      • @tom boy (03/02/2012, 11:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        I think everyone knew what was going on for years. Mark my words they will go and when they do they will start squeeling like little girls and more will follow them.
      • Guest (03/02/2012, 11:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        They did nothing wrong?? Okay I will look to see if you still posting 4 months from now when that plane leaves...LOL
        • Mz (03/02/2012, 14:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          @Guest...LOL i like ur comment cause something must be wrong with 'Tom Boy' buh they did nothing wrong. HE/SHE must be a family member.
  • qq (03/02/2012, 11:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    good thing they got new attorneys or else!
  • fish fry (03/02/2012, 15:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    why the usa want our local boys??...this is injustic deman
  • Mary J (03/02/2012, 16:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    FREE WE PEOPLE DEH MAN!!! the dpp and the governor's office and police knows dat dey US case is WEAK, very weak just hear say and circumstantial evidence and ratting, nothing of substance...I say Nothing. Let my people go no please..USA needs to back off our prople
  • vex me vex (03/02/2012, 18:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    look at chad and harrigan two of we finish men now dem want them to go America for hogwash...suckteeth
  • the facts man (05/02/2012, 11:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    boss me went to jail in America and trust i if our local boys go up dey dem cannot expect fair play and justice. dem need to fight tis ting wid all dem got...trust me no justice in the states for black men mussless if dem from the Caribbean. we need to keep praying for our sons bvi.


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