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Attorney for accused drug smugglers request information from the US
Monday, 09 November 2009
The United States government has rejected a request by a local defence attorney who has demanded to know the identities of the witnesses who blew the whistle on his clients linked to a major international drug trafficking network.
Defence attorney Tom Tavares Finson made the request when he appeared before the Corporate Area Court on behalf of Roger Folkes, otherwise called "Kirk," and his brother Romeo Anthony Folkes, better known as "Rocky".
US prosecutors claimed the two brothers are linked to a major drug network operating in the US, England, Jamaica and other parts of the Caribbean.
But making submissions before the Corporate Area Criminal Court on Monday, Mr. Finson argued that the US government should provide information on the identities of the witnesses.
He further argued that the foreign witnesses should made available to be cross examined by him.
But in a letter sent to the local authorities, the US government strongly rejected the request.
In brushing aside Mr. Finson request, the US State Department says it will not compromise or endanger the lives of its witnesses.
The extradition hearing is now set for next Monday.
The Folkes brothers were captured in June by members of the Fugitive Apprehension Team.
US prosecutors reported that between July 2006 and September 2008, the Folkes brothers were members of a transnational smuggling network which shipped illicit drugs into the US and Great Britain from Jamaica and St. Lucia.
US prosecutors claim the network shipped the narcotics in hand rails and secret compartments in hand luggage through several international airports.
Several persons allegedly connected to the network have been arrested in the US and Europe.
Monday, 09 November 2009
The United States government has rejected a request by a local defence attorney who has demanded to know the identities of the witnesses who blew the whistle on his clients linked to a major international drug trafficking network.
Defence attorney Tom Tavares Finson made the request when he appeared before the Corporate Area Court on behalf of Roger Folkes, otherwise called "Kirk," and his brother Romeo Anthony Folkes, better known as "Rocky".
US prosecutors claimed the two brothers are linked to a major drug network operating in the US, England, Jamaica and other parts of the Caribbean.
But making submissions before the Corporate Area Criminal Court on Monday, Mr. Finson argued that the US government should provide information on the identities of the witnesses.
He further argued that the foreign witnesses should made available to be cross examined by him.
But in a letter sent to the local authorities, the US government strongly rejected the request.
In brushing aside Mr. Finson request, the US State Department says it will not compromise or endanger the lives of its witnesses.
The extradition hearing is now set for next Monday.
The Folkes brothers were captured in June by members of the Fugitive Apprehension Team.
US prosecutors reported that between July 2006 and September 2008, the Folkes brothers were members of a transnational smuggling network which shipped illicit drugs into the US and Great Britain from Jamaica and St. Lucia.
US prosecutors claim the network shipped the narcotics in hand rails and secret compartments in hand luggage through several international airports.
Several persons allegedly connected to the network have been arrested in the US and Europe.
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