Athaliah Reynolds, Staff Reporter

( L - R ) Williams, Ramcharan

The recent conviction of two Jamaican drug dealers, described as international 'drug kingpins' by a United States federal court, has given local law enforcers and policymakers confidence in their push to further 'stomp out' the illegal drug trade.

On Wednesday, a US federal court in Miami convicted Jamaicans Leebert Ramcharan and Donovan 'Plucky' Williams, along with Bahamian Samuel Knowles on smuggling charges.

Prosecutors said all three men could face life in prison when sentenced on May 23.

National Security Minister Derrick Smith said these convictions stood as a firm reminder to other individuals involved in the illegal drug trade that if they are caught, they will face the consequences.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Mark Shields said he was very pleased with the convictions and hoped this stood as awarning to other individuals involved in the illegal drug trade.

"I hope this goes out as a strong signal to other members of the illegal drug trade that they too will be caught. It's not a matter of if, but a matter of when," he said.

Dr Peter Phillips, opposition spokesperson on national security, said yesterday that the convictions of Williams and Ramcharam reflected greatly on the overall success in attempts to "stomp out" the cocaine trade.

Justice for the families

Phillips said this was justice for the families and citizens who have been affected in one way or another by the drug trade.

Both Shields and Phillips however said they were disappointed with the length of the extradiction process and the time it took to bring the men to justice.

Phillips said the extradiction process was unduly long and proved a tremendous strain on the State.

He said it was therefore important for steps to be taken to speed up the process, while ensuring that individuals' rights were also maintained.

Ramcharan and Knowles were put on the US blacklist that prohibits US banks from doing business with suspected international drug traffickers or their organisations.

The US attorney in Miami said both Jamaicans were convicted of conspiracy to import and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.

Prosecutors said Ramcharan was in charge of a 'sophisticated drug smuggling organisation' that was engaged in the trafficking of up to 15,000 kilos of cocaine from Colombia from 1998 to 2004.

Logistics

They said the drugs were stored in Jamaica from where they were shipped to The Bahamas, then on to the US.

In a separate case, Knowles was convicted for bringing cocaine to the US between 1995 and 1996.

Knowles, who was extradited from The Bahamas in 2006, was also ordered to forfeit almost US$14 million of the illegal gain.

Ramcharan and Williams were arrested in March 2004 in Montego Bay, St James, during a raid conducted by local police assisted by US Drug Enforcement Agency.

They were held on a provisional warrant seeking their extradition to the US for drug-related activities reportedly carried out in that country.

However, both men were extradited to the US in March 2007 after losing an appeal to block the move.

athaliah.reynolds@gleanerjm.com