Trinidadian ordered extradited to US on drug charges

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (Reuter) A Trinidad national wanted in the United
States to face trial on a series of drug charges will be extradited to
Florida, a court has ruled.

Chief Magistrate Beecham Maharaj ordered the extradition of Zimmern Beharry
Monday following a 15month court battle. Beharry was arrested in south
Trinidad last year.

Beharry, 36, is wanted on eight narcotics charges including conspiracy to
traffic cocaine, possession and trafficking during the period between 1991
and 1994.

The case is linked to a bust by U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration
officers on board a boat at Port Everglades in Miami, Florida, on February
2, 1994.

If found guilty, Beharry faces eight life sentences and a total fine of
US$40 million, legal experts said.

Beharry has 15 days to appeal the magistrate's decision.

Police say Trinidad is a major transshipment point for drugs entering North
America. But the government has passed new laws which impose heavy fines
and stiff jail terms on persons convicted on drugsrelated offenses.

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