Alleged drug kingpin wins fight against extradition
A major foul-up by the local authorities enabled a Jamaican fugitive described by the United States government as a major player in the international drug trade, to walk free on Tuesday.
The Appeal Court has ordered the immediate release of 41-year-old Presley Bingham otherwise called "Pressa" and "Butcherman" of Liliput, St. James.
Last year, Mr. Bigham waived his right to fight his extradition and agreed to surrender to US prosecutors.
However, the local authorities failed to extradite him within the time prescribed as set out in the extradition treaty between Jamaica and the United States.
This blunder was highlighted by his attorney Jacqueline Samuels-Brown before the Appeal Court.
Mr. Bigham has been described as a major player in the international drug trade by US prosecutors.
He was captured in May 2005 by members of the Fugitive Apprehension Team during a crackdown on so-called drug kingpins in Montego Bay.
He was indicted by a US Grand Jury along with Norris "Deedo" Nembhard, Clasford Morris, Robroy Williams and five others who are now facing extradition.
US prosecutors claim Mr. Bingham conspired with other persons to smuggle cocaine and more than 1,000 kilogrammes of ganja into Florida.
A major foul-up by the local authorities enabled a Jamaican fugitive described by the United States government as a major player in the international drug trade, to walk free on Tuesday.
The Appeal Court has ordered the immediate release of 41-year-old Presley Bingham otherwise called "Pressa" and "Butcherman" of Liliput, St. James.
Last year, Mr. Bigham waived his right to fight his extradition and agreed to surrender to US prosecutors.
However, the local authorities failed to extradite him within the time prescribed as set out in the extradition treaty between Jamaica and the United States.
This blunder was highlighted by his attorney Jacqueline Samuels-Brown before the Appeal Court.
Mr. Bigham has been described as a major player in the international drug trade by US prosecutors.
He was captured in May 2005 by members of the Fugitive Apprehension Team during a crackdown on so-called drug kingpins in Montego Bay.
He was indicted by a US Grand Jury along with Norris "Deedo" Nembhard, Clasford Morris, Robroy Williams and five others who are now facing extradition.
US prosecutors claim Mr. Bingham conspired with other persons to smuggle cocaine and more than 1,000 kilogrammes of ganja into Florida.
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