Bob, Tico Extradition Hearing Begins

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Bob Hodge and Roberto Harrigan

(PLTM) - The extradition hearing for Earl Deville Hodge, also known as Bob Hodge, and ex Customs Officer, Roberto ‘Tico’ Harrigan, began earlier today, June 6, before the Magistrate’s Court. Both Hodge and Harrigan were arrested by local police on February 7, after the United States Government issued a fresh extradition order for the men, in connection with an alleged drug ring. The Magistrate’s Court has reportedly scheduled the hearing for the next three weeks. Following its completion, if the court is satisfied that enough evidence is brought against the men, a warrant will then be issued for them to be extradited to the United States to stand trial. If this is done, the men have a total of 14 days to appeal the order by filing a writ of habeas corpus. However, if the court is not satisfied with the evidence, the men will be released. Both men are being represented by defense attorneys Patrick Thompson and Stephen Daniels. The men are currently on bail with strict curfew conditions. Following a special sitting on February 14, Hodge was offered bail in the sum of $1M, while Harrigan was offered bail in the sum of $600,000. Each was ordered to pay $200,000 cash upfront as a part of their bail condition, along with two sureties available to sign. The court further ordered that the men are to adhere to a strict curfew of 6:00 pm to 6:00 am, in addition to signing in at Road Town Police Station everyday. This is the second extradition order made out for both Hodge and Harrigan. In December 2014, Hodge and Harrigan, along with Chad Skelton and Carlston Beazer, were freed after being held for three years. High Court Judge, Madame Vicki Ann Ellis ruled that former Governor Boyd McCleary's decision to issue an Order to Proceed with an extradition hearing be quashed and that the matter be remitted to the Governor for reconsideration in accordance with the judgment of the court. The men had challenged the Order to Proceed with a second extradition hearing ordered by McCleary on October 11, 2012. The Judicial Review matter had resulted in a stay in the extradition proceedings at the Magistrate's Court. There was also a fifth man, Juan Valdez, who holds dual citizenship for Antigua and Dominican Republic. He was repatriated following the December 2014 ruling.

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