AS the extradition hearings involving six men wanted in the United States to face alleged drug trafficking and conspiracy charges winds down, defence attorney Norma Linton, QC, contended that her client, Robroy 'Spy" Williams should not be extradited because there was no evidence to suggest that he was part of any drug smuggling conspiracy.

"There is no prima facie evidence to suggest that Robroy Williams was part of any conspiracy," Linton told Resident Magistrate Martin Gayle.

Williams' nephew Glenroy Williams is now serving a sentence in the United States for drug-related offences after he was among a group of men who were held on a boat carrying contraband in Caribbean waters. The foreign drug enforcement agents were planning to use the younger Williams' sworn affidavit against his uncle.

But Linton submitted that the court throw out Glenroy Williams' evidence because he said his uncle had not smuggled drugs to the United States.

Linton also pointed to evidence of the US Coast Guard member Ralph Brooks, who said he was a crew member of a United States vessel which accosted the boat on which Glenroy Williams was found. Brooks said the boat was taken to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

"Jurisdiction cannot be claimed by the United States because it was not in waters outside of the Caribbean," Linton said.

The lawyers also argued that procedure had been breached because an unsigned indictment was sent to Jamaica and when objections were raised in court the US authorities sent a photocopy of the document which bore a signature.
"The first copy was not signed by the foreman of the Grand Jury," Linton said.

Williams, along with Glenford Williams, Norris 'Dedo' Nembhard, Vivian Dalley, police corporal Herbert 'Scarry' Henry and Colombian national Luis Miguel Avila Arias were arrested 14 months ago by narcotics police.

The fear factor

Feeding the multitude

DANGEROUS PETS