JAN 03

Four Grenadians are facing possible extradition to the United States to face illegal drug charges in the U.S capital city of Washington, D.C.

The four are Ralph Blackman of Woburn, St. George's, Andrew Mc Burnie and Ricardo Lewis of La Mode, St. George's, and Deron "Dapper" Thomas of Morne Toute, St. George's.

Informed sources told GRENADA TODAY that the U.S government has made a formal request to the Government of Grenada for the nationals to be handed over to their jurisdiction for trial.

A well-placed source said that the locals along with another person, currently in U.S custody, were indicted by a Grand Jury on April 15, 2003 for conspiracy to import and distribute several quantities of cocaine into the United States.

He indicated that the Grenadians fell victim to a sting operation conducted by the U.S Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) in an undercover operation during the period 2000-2003. He spoke of the DEA liking the men to the importation of several quantities of 5 kilos of cocaine on numerous occasions into the United States.

Speculation is rife that the Grenadians are accused of shipping more than 60 kilos of cocaine into the United States in recent years. The four made their first appearance before Chief Magistrate Patricia Mark on December 23, one day after they were picked up by local law enforcement officials based on the request made by the United States.

Barristers-at-law Peter David and Derek Sylvester of the law firm of Ciboney Chambers have been retained to look after the interest of the detained Grenadians.

The magistrate remanded the four to the Richmond Hill prison until their next court hearing on January 9.

Of the four, only Blackman has run afoul of the local law. He has a number of matters pending before the Magistrate court which are regarded as "trivial".

The source said that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) is prepared to withdraw the proceedings in favour of the extradition request by the United States.

Washington is making the request for the extadiction of the four Grenadians under a 1998 treaty signed between Grenada and the United States to cover a number of offences including drug interdiction.

The treaty was signed for Grenada by then External Affairs Minister Dr. Raphael fletcher of the replaced New National Party (NNP) government. It replaced a colonial extradition treaty which Grenada had inherited as a British colony.

The last time the DEA conducted a major drug operation in Grenada, it resulted in the arrest of two St. Andrew's resident , Diego Peters of La Potrie and the late Spencer Drakes.

The two landed 2-year prison sentences for trying to export 45 kilos of cocaine into the United States. Drakes died in prison of cancer while serving his sentence.