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by pltm
(PLTM) - Local men, Earl Delville Hodge, known as 'Bob Hodge', and Roberto ‘Tico’ Harrigan, have faced a major blow as they continue to fight against being extradited to the United States (U.S) to face charges in relation to an alleged 13-year drug ring. Earlier today, November 14, Magistrate Shawn Innocent handed down a decision in favour of the U.S, which will allow for the extradition to commence.
However, Attorney-at-Law Stephen Daniels, who is representing the men, told BVI Platinum News that the men will be filing a writ of habeas corpus within 15 days, as they move to appeal the Magisterial decision at the High Court level.
Following today’s ruling, the men were automatically remanded to prison, but Daniels said that tomorrow, they will be making a bail application for their release, pending future hearings.
Attorney-at-Law Patrick Thompson also appears on behalf of the men.
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 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 had 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.
