US makes formal extradition requests
Stabroek News
May 20, 2004
The Guyana government has been requested to extradite a number of persons the United States government wants to place before the courts for drug trafficking and money laundering.
The request follows a number of arrests, made by the US Drug Enforce-ment Agency and the New York District Attorney's Office, of Guyanese living in Brooklyn and Queens, New York for drug-related and money laundering offences. Stabroek News understands that the extradition requests will be for those persons identified as a result of phone taps on conversations between persons co-operating with the US authorities and those involved in the export of cocaine and money-laundering activities in Guyana.
Usually reliable sources said the requests have been made and passed to the relevant ministry, which Stabroek News understands to be the Ministry of Home Affairs. However, the normal procedure is for the request to be channelled through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which would then pass it on to the Home Affairs Ministry.
Up to press time Stabroek News was unable to confirm if this was the procedure that was followed.
The sources said the government has pledged its co-operation in facilitating the extradition procedures to which the Minister of Home Affairs must give his approval.
Under the laws of Guyana, the Minister of Home Affairs has the responsibility of advising the Chief Magistrate whether or not she should proceed with the matter in the courts.
According to reports no request or advice has reached the Chief Magistrate nor has any information reached the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions which would normally be responsible for presenting the facts on which the extradition request is being made to the courts.
Earlier this month representatives of the Drug Enforcement Agency and the New York Attorney's office met Attorney General Doodnauth Singh to ascertain the extradition procedures.
They were informed of the process and the right of persons requested to be extradited to appeal against the Magistrate's order through an application for a writ of habeas corpus in High Court and to the Court of Appeal if the writ is denied. If appeals are lodged at the Court of Appeal the process could last two years or more.