President George Bush of the United States yesterday designated two Jamaican businessmen Norris 'Deedo' Nembhard, 52, and Leebert Ramcharan? both of whom are facing requests for their extradition to the U.S.A., as 'Drug Kingpins', under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act.
By Lloyd WilliamsNembhard, of Runaway Bay, St. Ann, and Ramcharan, of Montego Bay, St. James, were picked up by narcotics agents in different operations several weeks ago, on provisional warrants seeking their extradition to the United States to face drug charges.
When Nembhard was arrested on April 21, residents of Salem, near Runaway Bay, St. Ann, where he runs a business, blocked the road for several hours, creating a huge traffic jam, and chanting for his release.
Ramcharan, 45, runs Caribbean Showplace, a restaurant and entertainment centre, and Caribbean Beach Park in Montego Bay. He was arrested on March 2.
Contacted last night, Frank Phipps, Q.C., who is representing Nembhard at the extradition hearing, said he had not seen the designation by the American president, but he found it highly prejudicial to proceedings taking place in Jamaica in which Mr. Nembhard was involved. Also, he found it strange, he said, when the police in September 2003 had committed themselves in writing to say that they were not aware of Mr. Nembhard being involved in any criminal activity.
