950828

Customs seek

extradition of

US citizens

in drug case

KARACHI: Customs Department here has approached the Central Board of Revenue (CBR) to request the US government for extradition of those US nationals who were members of a drug syndicate involved in the 12 kg heroin sumggling case.

According to informed sources the Customs have maintained that according to their investigations the drug conspiracy had originated in the USA, it would be in the interest of prosecution that those US nationals involved in this drug syndicate based in USA be brought into the case and US government may be requested to extradite them.

In case it is not possible to seek extradition of US nationals to Pakistan, then a Customs investigation team be sent to USA to examine the detained US nationals in the light of investigations carried out here so that the entire drug racket is unearthed.

It may be recalled here that staff of Drug Enforcement Cell posted at the departure hall of Quaid-e-Azam International Airport recovered and seized 12 kg of fine quality heroin from the collective baggage of three US nationals - Christopher Rolling Kelly, Carrie Leigh Dempsey and Jody Lynn, - on July 12, 1995.

All of them were arrested and a FIR lodged in the court of Special Judge (Customs and Taxation).

An indepth investigation into the matter later revealed that the US nationals involved in drug trafficking were members of an international drug syndicate.

The investigations showed that one Khalid Yousuf Malik had supplied heroin stuffed suitcases to US nationals whom he had lodged at Hotel Kabana Lahore.

It further came to light that contraband had to be delivered to one Mike in New York who was also a member of the cartel. In turn he was to deliver the stuff to one Eddie in Washington DC.

The Customs investigators here immediately contacted US Drug Enforcement Administration at Karachi and the information was passed on to them for action. Resultantly Mike was arrested from Kennedy Airport, New York where he was waiting to receive the couriers on board PK-721.

DEA also informed that their counterparts in USA have been able to identify and rounded up three other accused Donald Wardrick alias Eddie, who was involved in 32 cases in USA for cocaine distribution, Porteal Troytene Groom alias "PT" and a female Minerva Mojica in Washington DC.

In Pakistan the Customs investigators arrested Khalid Yousuf Malik and also procured tangible evidence against him.

On request by Customs 'Investigation agency here the DEA Karachi provided criminal record of accused Khalid Yousuf according to which he was convicted for involvement in conspiracies of drug smuggling and had remained in prison in USA for 14 years.

It is believed that if US nationals involved in this case are extradited or the Customs investigators allowed to go to USA to examine them there, major disclosures are expected to be achieved.-APP