A ruling is likely by the end of this week in the extradition hearing involving six men whom the United States Government wants to face alleged drug-related charges in Tampa, Florida.

On Monday, presiding magistrate Martin Gayle said the court was aiming to dispose of the matter by weekend.

“I don’t want to wake up Monday morning and have to deal with this case. We want to end by Friday,” Gayle said yesterday before proceedings got underway in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court.

Yesterday, defence attorneys wrapped up their submissions and government prosecutor Georgianna Fraser began her rebuttal before the court was adjourned.

The six men – Vivian Dalley, Norris ‘Dedo’ Nembhard, Robroy ‘Spy’ Williams, Glenford Williams, police corporal Herbert ‘Scarry’ Henry and Colombian Luis Miguel Avila Arias – were arrested more than 14 months ago during operations by narcotics police who were armed with provisional warrants of arrest.

Drug enforcement agents in Tampa, Florida, said the men conspired to import and distribute five kilograms or more of a mixture or substance containing cocaine and 1,000 kilograms or more of a mixture or a substance containing marijuana into the United States or within waters 12 miles off that American coast.

Citing inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case, defence attorney Patrick Bailey, who is representing Henry, yesterday accused the prosecution of allowing the United States authorities to manipulate the country’s justice system.

“They have allowed the American authorities to play fast and loose with the Jamaican justice system,” Bailey said.

Bailey’s remark drew a sharp retort from Fraser.

“Who do you mean?” Fraser asked.

“Who the cap fit let them wear it,” Bailey replied.

“I need to know what to respond to,” Fraser said.

Bailey also questioned the credibility of Colombian Alexander Duffus Young and ex-policeman Paul Dixon.

Dixon told the US authorities that he heard Henry boast of knowing someone who worked at American Airlines who could move ‘stuff overseas’, while Duffus told the US drug enforcement agents that Henry had given him US$600,000 to purchase 100 kilograms of cocaine.

“Duffus is the main virus infecting this case. He lies with alacrity,” Bailey told the court. “He speaks of $600,000 which his colleague Dixon knows nothing about.”

At the same time, Jacqueline Cummings, the attorney who represents Arias, branded Assistant US Attorney Pamela Cothrane-Marsh a liar in what the former described as flaws in the documents sent to Jamaican authorities.

“.You should accept nothing she says,” said Cummings.

Arias was taken into custody after Delroy Williams, nephew of Robroy ‘Spy’ Williams, was held on a go-fast boat which authorities said had 1,050 kilograms of cocaine in waters between Colombia and Jamaica in May 2002.

The case will continue today.