Drug-smuggling suspects Earl “Bob” Hodge and Roberto “Tico” Harrigan, both of whom were arrested on Feb. 7 on warrants issued by the United States Department of Justice, appeared at the Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday for the start of their extradition hearing,confirmed defence attorney Patrick Thompson.
Magistrate Shawn Innocent is presiding over the hearing, which is expected to take three weeks, according to Mr. Thompson.
The attorney added that the media are barred from attending.
“The media are excluded since the media is usually excluded from all committal hearings in the Magistrates’ Court,” he stated.
It is unclear whether the media — which were allowed to attend much of the men’s first extradition hearing in 2012 — will be permitted to attend later stages of the current proceeding.
Mr. Innocent previously granted both defendants bail at their court appearance on Feb. 14.
Mr. Hodge, whose bail was set at $1 million, was required to put up $200,000 in cash and to have two sureties guaranteeing $400,000 each.
Mr. Harrigan, who was granted $600,000 bail, was required to put up $200,000 in cash and to have two sureties guaranteeing $200,000 each.
Both men have maintained their innocence.
SEE THE JUNE 8, 2017 EDITION FOR FULL COVERAGE.
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