US seeks to extradite four

TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands (CMC):

United States law enforcement authorities are seeking the extradition of four men, including a decorated Customs officials, on charges that they were part of an international ring engaged in exporting illegal drugs into the country.

The four are Earl Hodge, who is alleged to be the local coordinator of the drug ring, Roberto Harrigan, the Customs officer who is alleged to have facilitated the landing of other individuals into the country, as well as Chad Skelton and Carlston Bessa, whom Washington said picked up the illegal drugs when they were dropped at land and sea.

The four were arrested earlier this month during an early-morning raid that the local law enforcement authorities said brought about the end of a 13-year drug operation that was part of a wider regional and international cocaine smuggling ring.

The authorities are alleging that the seven people whom they detained during the raid were conspiring to import cocaine from South America for on-shipping to Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands and the United States mainland.