Attorney-at-law Darren Wade is calling on Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan to testify in extradition proceedings against his client Shawn Neblett, a former cop wanted in the United States of America for drug trafficking.
Wade says he wants Minister Ramjattan to take the witness box because he has some questions to ask him. For one, the lawyer said he would love to ask the Minister, “Why he’s sending black people to go to America to suffer unnecessary.”
Wade made these remarks when Neblett’s matter continued today before Magistrate Faith McGusty in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
Neblett, a former member of the Guyana Police Force, is wanted by the US in relation to trafficking cocaine through the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). On February 2, 2017, local police issued a wanted bulletin for Neblett.
While Wade is advocating for the minister to attend court, Senior State Counsel Stacy Goodings indicated that the Minister has already given the green light for the court to proceed with the extradition hearing.
Goodings is representing the US Government and has since indicated that she is ready to proceed at a time convenient to the court.
Wade subsequently made an application for his client to be released on bail; however, his request was met with serious objections from Goodings.
Goodings held firm that Neblett is a flight risk and was even caught trying to flee the country. She said that he was arrested at Moleson Creek while attempting to cross over to Suriname. She added that his passport shows that he has been travelling between Suriname and Barbados.
However, according to Wade, his client was never aware that a wanted bulletin was issued for him. Further, he said that at the time of his client’s arrest Neblett was merely visiting a neighbouring country through a legal route.
The lawyer further stressed that his client was boarding a vessel when it was discovered that he was blacklisted. Added to that, the lawyer disclosed that his client operates a car rental business and is eager to vindicate himself.
Nonetheless, Goodings’ objections were upheld and Neblett was remanded to prison until June 19, for the commencement of his extradition hearing.
