RJR News has been informed that three of five alleged drug dealers whose cases were thrown out by the Appeal Court on Friday have lost a last minute battle to block their extradition to the United States.
Our news centre understands that Attorney-General Dorothy Lightbourne signed three extradition orders on Wednesday.
Another extradition order is still pending while a fifth accused has reportedly waived his right to appeal.
It has not yet been ascertained whether alleged drug kingpin Norris "Deedo" Nembhard is among those who will be extradited to the United State (US) to answer drug charges.
The Appeal Court last week ruled that Nembhard and four other Jamaicans be extradited to stand trial in the US.
The other accused are Robroy "Spy" Williams, Glenroy Williams, Vivian Dalley and Police Corporal Herbert Henry.
US prosecutors claim the men, who were arrested in 2004 as part of an international crack-down, were major players in the international drug trade.
Following the Appeal Court's ruling, their lawyers rushed to prevent their extradition.
The attorneys wrote to Miss Lightbourne requesting that she exercise her powers and refuse the US government's request for extradition.
They reminded her that under the Extradition Act, she is the final arbiter as to whether a Jamaican citizen should be extradited.
Nemhard's lawyers reiterated that the "Kingpin" tag placed on their client makes it virtually impossible for him to get a fair trial in the US.
The attorneys expressed concern that under US statute, Nembhard would be denied the protection of law that is guaranteed to other persons appearing before an American court.
The attorneys asked Minister Lightbourne to grant them an audience to make submissions to press home their case.
However, Miss Lightbourne reportedly wrote to the lawyers stating that their request was unwarranted.
Our news centre understands that Attorney-General Dorothy Lightbourne signed three extradition orders on Wednesday.
Another extradition order is still pending while a fifth accused has reportedly waived his right to appeal.
It has not yet been ascertained whether alleged drug kingpin Norris "Deedo" Nembhard is among those who will be extradited to the United State (US) to answer drug charges.
The Appeal Court last week ruled that Nembhard and four other Jamaicans be extradited to stand trial in the US.
The other accused are Robroy "Spy" Williams, Glenroy Williams, Vivian Dalley and Police Corporal Herbert Henry.
US prosecutors claim the men, who were arrested in 2004 as part of an international crack-down, were major players in the international drug trade.
Following the Appeal Court's ruling, their lawyers rushed to prevent their extradition.
The attorneys wrote to Miss Lightbourne requesting that she exercise her powers and refuse the US government's request for extradition.
They reminded her that under the Extradition Act, she is the final arbiter as to whether a Jamaican citizen should be extradited.
Nemhard's lawyers reiterated that the "Kingpin" tag placed on their client makes it virtually impossible for him to get a fair trial in the US.
The attorneys expressed concern that under US statute, Nembhard would be denied the protection of law that is guaranteed to other persons appearing before an American court.
The attorneys asked Minister Lightbourne to grant them an audience to make submissions to press home their case.
However, Miss Lightbourne reportedly wrote to the lawyers stating that their request was unwarranted.
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