Two wanted in the United States remanded in custody

The two men being sought by United States authorities – Earl ‘Bob’ Hodge and former Customs officer Robert ‘Tico’ Harrigan – were remanded in custody when they were brought to a special sitting of the Magistrate’s Court this afternoon, February 8.

The special hearing held at the Road Town Police Station was adjourned.

However, BVI News Online has been told that the embattled men are scheduled to return to court at 2pm on Friday.

Journalists were not allowed inside the venue where the hearing was held.

Inside sources however stated that the hearing is taking place before a magistrate from outside the jurisdiction.

Meanwhile the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), in a media release this afternoon, said the two men were arrested last evening in relation to warrants issued on behalf of the United States Justice Department. It did not give further information.

Four were initilly being sought by US

Harrigan and Hodge were among four men released from police custody in late 2015. The other two were Carlston Beazer and Chad Skelton.

They were behind bars for more than three years, pending the outcome of legal wranglings arising from a United States request for their extradition to answer to charges in connection to drug running.

In the year 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 men, 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, in relation to the judicial review, ruled in 2015 against the Governor’s Office Order to have the second extradition hearing.
The four men also initially faced local charges. But the prosecution dropped those and instead unsuccessfully pursued the extradition matter.