Barbara Gayle, Staff Reporter

The Judicial Review Court is to hear a motion brought by businessman Gareth Lewis and his 75-year-old blind father Jeffrey Lewis, of Golden Spring, St. Andrew who are seeking to have an American diplomat cross-examined at their extradition hearing.

The men are wanted in the United States to face drug-related charges.

Senior Resident Magistrate Marva McIntosh stayed their extradition hearing when she granted them leave to go to the Judicial Review Court.

The application was made by Frank Phipps, Q.C. and attorney-at-law Wentworth Charles instructed by Kathryn Phipps who are representing the men.

DEA agent

The diplomat, who is also a U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) agent, has given an affidavit in support of the men's extradition.

Resident Magistrate Lorraine Smith ruled last month in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court that she was satisfied, based on what was presented before her that the person who gave the affidavit had diplomatic immunity.

Resident Magistrate Lorraine Smith and the Attorney-General are the respondents and the men are seeking to have the RM's ruling quashed.

The men, who operate a shipping company, have been in custody since August last year.

It is being alleged that they were part of an international drug network that transported large quantities of cocaine from Colombia to the United States.

barbara.gayle@gleanerjm.com