BVI men get bail amid fight to block extradition

A magistrate in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) has offered bail to two men who the United States is seeking to extradite in relation to alleged drug running.

They are Earl ‘Bob’ Hodge and former Customs officer Robert ‘Tico’ Harrigan.

Hodge was offered bail in the sum of $1 million while Harrigan was offered $600,000 bail.

They each must pay $200,000 cash upfront, and have two sureties each to sign the respective bail bonds.

Magistrate Shawn Innocent, who usually presides in another jurisdiction, offered bail in a makeshift court at the Road Town Police Station this morning, February 14.

He ordered that the men report to the said police station everyday between 6am and 6pm.

The two were also put on daily curfew from 6pm to 6 o’ clock each morning.

Magistrate Innocent made the decision following submissions made last Friday by attorneys Stephen Daniels and Patrick Thompson, who are jointly representing the duo.

Members of the media were not allowed inside the courtroom during the bail application, as well as the magistrate’s ruling.

Hodge and Harrigan were arrested on February 7 when members of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) acted upon warrants they received from the United States Justice Department.

This is at least the third attempt the United States is making to have the men extradited.

Initially, the United States Justice Department sought four men for extradition. The other two men were Carlston Beazer and Chad Skelton.

During the first extradition attempt in 2012, then High Court judge Justice Albert Redhead ruled that the men were NOT to be sent to the United States.

Following that ruling, the prosecution obtained new evidence against the four, and then Governor Boyd McCleary issued an Order for a second extradition hearing to take place.

The four men, through their attorneys, challenged the Governor’s order through a judicial review, which was heard by Justice Vicki Ann Ellis.

Justice Ellis ruled in 2015 against the Governor’s Office Order to have the second extradition hearing.

The men were then released from custody after being held for more than three years.