After months of fighting efforts in local courts to block his extradition, former policeman, Shawn Neblett has been extradited and is due to appear in court in the United States for a series of drug-related charges involving a cocaine smuggling ring abroad.
Following an inquiry, Georgetown Magistrate, Faith McGusty ordered that Neblett, formally of Community Lane, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown be extradited.
During the hearing, Neblett was on remand at the Lusignan Prison. On Friday afternoon, he was handed over to U.S. federal officers.
Neblett is expected to answer to charges for conspiracy to import cocaine, importation of cocaine, conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. In May 2019, the U.S. government had made an application through the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for Neblett’s extradition.
On June 10, 2016, an arrest warrant was issued in the US for Neblett’s arrest. He had, however, already fled to Guyana.
According to the indictment, between August 2015 and September 2015, in the Eastern District of New York, Neblett conspired to smuggle cocaine from Guyana to the US. It is alleged that he arranged for the courier in Guyana to smuggle the cocaine into the US for the payment of US$8,000.
It is alleged that he met with the courier in Guyana and packed the person’s suitcase with the seven pairs of shoes with cocaine concealed in them.
He had allegedly given the courier US$300 to rent a hotel room, on his arrival in New York. On August 28, 2015, the courier flew to New York and was arrested upon his arrival at the JFK airport with 1.45 kilogrammes of cocaine in his possession. The courier, when held by officers in New York, confessed and assisted with the investigation.
The courier called Neblett regarding the pick-up of the cocaine and another individual was sent to pick up the cocaine from the courier. The individual was arrested with US$8,000 in his possession.