2 weeks ago
6
Senior Reporter
After several failed legal challenges, a 48-year-old man wanted in the United States for smuggling over US$1 million in cocaine and heroin into that country, has been extradited.
Shurlan “Chalkie” Guppy’s successful extradition was announced by the US Embassy in a media release issued yesterday.
It stated that Guppy was escorted from T&T by members of the US Marshals Service and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on Tuesday.
It quoted US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Dr Jenifer Neidhart de Ortiz, who noted that Guppy’s extradition was the result of successful cooperation between local and US law enforcement agencies.
“This extradition is indicative of the strong law enforcement relationships and close cooperation between the United States and T&T, as we continue to work to make our countries safer and prosecute criminal activities,” she said.
Special agent in charge of the DEA’s Caribbean Division Michael Miranda expressed similar sentiments.
“Together, we sent a clear message that transnational criminal organisations will be pursued relentlessly, no matter where they hide,” Miranda said.
“This operation reflects the professionalism, coordination, and resolve that define our shared mission to safeguard our communities from the threat of drug trafficking,” he added.
Guppy is wanted in the US for a series of charges, including conspiracy to distribute heroin and cocaine, attempted distribution, and distribution of narcotics in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
The evidence against him presented by US authorities to aid in his extradition includes intercepted communications, drug seizures, and the evidence of a US informat, who allegedly identified Guppy as a supplier of narcotics.
In September 2023, T&T Police Service (TTPS) officers, with the assistance of the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), arrested Guppy at an up-scale rental property at Ascot Road, Goodwood Park, Westmoorings.
The officers reportedly found 1.2 kilos of pure cocaine and a loaded firearm at the property.
Guppy filed a lawsuit after acting Chief Magistrate Christine Charles approved extradition proceedings brought by the Office of the Attorney General, on behalf of the US, on July 31st last year.
He filed an appeal after the case was rejected by High Court Judge Ricky Rahim.
In rejecting the appeal earlier this year, Appellate Judges Mark Mohammed, Peter Rajkumar and Ronnie Boodoosingh ruled that their colleague could not be faulted. They noted that their colleague was right to dismiss Guppy’s claim that he was entrapped by US law enforcement agents.
They also stated that while there was evidence that US enforcement agents paid him US$5,000 for a previous shipment of drugs, there was also evidence that he was allegedly involved in drug trafficking before the payment was made in 2020.
“These were conclusions reasonably open to the judge based on the material before him,” Justice Mohammed said.
Justice Rajkumar pointed out that while Guppy could rely on entrapment as a defence in the US, such was not applicable in T&T or the United Kingdom.
“Would he not be in a better position?” Justice Rajkumar asked.
The judges also ruled that their colleague was also entitled to reject Guppy’s claim that the US acted in bad faith by failing to prosecute his wife and father-in-law, who are US citizens, although there was evidence of them participating in the same criminal conduct he is accused of.
“There is no evidence of differential treatment by citizenship,” Justice Mohammed said.
They found no merit in Guppy’s claim that his extradition disproportionately affected his constitutional right to family life based on the impact on his son, who has autism.
They noted that his son, who moved from the US to live with him in Trinidad, would have more access to specialised education programmes for his medical condition if he returned to live with his mother in the US.
“It is in the best interest of the child to return to the US,” Justice Mohammed said.
As part of their decision, the judges ordered Guppy to pay the State almost $100,000 in legal costs for defending his appeal.
English (US) ·