September date for Bob Hodge and wife
BVI News Staff - Monday, July 30th, 2012 at 3:45 PM
Husband and wife Earl “Bob” and Violet “Letty” Hodge will be appearing in the Magistrate’s Court on September 28.
The date was selected on July 26 when the matter came up in the Magistrate’s Court.
During a previous court appearance, Senior Crown Counsel Valston Graham told Magistrate Tamia Richards that Hodge’s had secured new representation in the form of Orion Law. The couple was previously represented by J.S. Archibald and Co. They are together charged with conspiracy to import drugs between January 1, 1998 and September 29, 2010; acquisition, possession or use of proceeds of criminal conduct; and unlawful possession of ammunition.
Bob and Letty Hodge were among the six local members of an international drug trafficking and money laundering ring that the court heard of on August 27.
The alleged drug ring allegedly dates back to 1998. At that August appearance Graham had alleged that Earl Hodge had made arrangements with several persons, including Roberto Mendez-Hurtado, an alleged Columbian drug lord, for the unlawful importation of cocaine into the BVI.
The substance was then to be transported to the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and ultimately the US mainland.
The prosecutor further alleged that the shipping arrangements stayed in place until September 2010, lasting for some 12 years. During this time Hodge received an initial 10 percent of the value of the load with a subsequent increase to 15 percent.
To make the shipping and importation possible, Hodge allegedly conspired with local partners, including Carlton Beazer and Chad Skelton, whose role was to assist in the sea recovery of the substance and facilitate the ground transportation as well.
The cocaine was airdropped.
Hodge, the prosecutor said, held his arrangements with persons from Colombia and other South American countries.
It is also alleged that his wife played a significant role in the operation as a Spanish/English translator.
The prosecution noted that in 1999, some 1200kg of cocaine were imported into the BVI through three separate airdrops. Seven more drops followed this between January 2001 and December 2002, during which time 2800kgs of were imported.
The drops continued again between June and September 2010.
The prosecution also told the Magistrates’ Court that Hodge and his wife traveled to Venezuela between late 2000 and early 2001 where they held talks with the drug lord regarding the imports.
Police had seized various documents and electronics from the home of Earl and Violet Hodge in a raid. Among the items were documents relating to the arrest of Beazer and Skelton in 2010.
At another unoccupied residence owned by the Hodges, police found guns and ammunition.
Violet Hodge was granted bail in the sum of $500,000. Half of the bond was to be paid in cash while the other half signed surety. She was also ordered to surrender her travel documents. Violet Hodge is said to have hailed from the US Virgin Islands.
Bob Hodge had signaled his intent not to make an application if his wife is allowed to post bail.
On March 13 Senior Magistrate Valerie Stephens varied Mrs. Hodge’s bail allowing her to report to the Road Town Police Station three days a week, as opposed to the previously order daily reporting. The Magistrate also ordered that Mrs. Hodges BVI driver’s license be returned to her.
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