Seven face drug trafficking charges in rare Saturday court sitting

Earl “Bob” Hodge, Violet “Letty” Hodge, Roberto “Tico” Harrigan, Chad Skelton, Carlston Beazer and Juan Valdez were each charged with conspiracy to import cocaine, along with various other charges.

Mr. Harrigan, a customs officer, also faces charges of abuse of authority and bribery.

The seventh defendant, Sasha Hodge, pleaded not guilty to acquisition, possession or use of the proceeds of criminal conduct. The other defendants were not allowed to plead to the charges against them.

The conspiracy allegedly began in 1998 when Earl Hodge made contact with Roberto Mendez-Hurtado, an alleged Colombian “drug lord” now in custody in the United States, Crown Counsel Valston Graham said in court. Mr. Hodge, in exchange for a cut of the proceeds, allegedly arranged to retrieve thousands of kilograms of cocaine dropped in Virgin Islands waters intended for transport to the United States, the prosecutor said. The acts allegedly occurred between 1998 and 2010.

Messrs. Beazer and Skelton are accused of participating in the cocaine retrieval, Mr. Graham said.

Violet Hodge allegedly served as translator, when Mr. Hodge made contact with South Americans involved in drug trafficking, Mr. Graham said.

Mr. Harrigan, a customs canine handler, allegedly accepted a $45,000 bribe and is accused of transporting roughly $4 million in his customs van to Terrence B. Lettsome International Airport, where he allegedly assisted in loading it on board a plane to Venezuela, the prosecutor said. He also allegedly used his office to facilitate the illegal entry into the territory of people involved in the conspiracy, including Mr. Mendez-Hurtado and a woman said to have been Mr. Mendez-Hurtado’s accountant, Mr. Graham said.

The customs officer is also accused of wiring money from the conspiracy overseas via Western Union, Mr. Graham said.

Earl and Violet Hodge, who are married, also face charges of possession of a prohibited firearm and possession of ammunition, after an automatic rifle and ammunition were allegedly found in a Frenchmans Cay home belonging to the couple.

A suitcase containing $420,030 was allegedly found in Sasha Hodge’s home. Sasha Hodge, in speaking to police, acknowledged owning the suitcase but said she was unaware of the money, Mr. Graham said. Earl Hodge claimed ownership of the money and was in possession of keys that matched locks on the suitcase, the prosecutor added.

Sasha Hodge was offered $200,000 cash bail, and Violet Hodge was offered bail totalling $500,000, including a $250,000 cash portion and a $250,000 signed portion.

Senior Magistrate Valerie Stephens remanded the five male defendants to Her Majesty’s Prison, and ordered them to return to court Monday.

Earl Hodge, Mr. Skelton, Mr. Harrigan, Mr. Beazer and Mr. Valdez have also been indicted in the United States in connection with the alleged drug trafficking.

An extradition request for those five men has been received by Governor Boyd McCleary. Mr. Graham told the court.

See the Sept. 1, 2011 edition for full coverage.