A Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court Judge will rule next Wednesday, March 29, 2023, whether there are compelling grounds to grant bail to a St Andrew businessman fighting extradition to the United States on drug charges.
US law enforcement authorities accused Anthony Daniels, 50, of being a significant player in a drug-trafficking ring operating out of Jamaica and the United States.
Local law enforcement officers arrested Daniels and three others last July after getting intercepted in separate anti-narcotics operations executed by police/military teams in St James and St Andrew.
So, Daniels is wanted in the US on conspiracy charges to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine and two counts of distribution of five or more kilograms of cocaine.
According to US authorities, between February and December of 2021, US law enforcement authorities investigated a drug-trafficking ring operating in Jamaica and Philadelphia. The investigation subsequently led to the seizure of a large quantity of cocaine at the Philadelphia International Airport. And subsequent investigation reportedly led to Daniels. As a result, the authorities indicted him in Accenture.
Last July, Daniels appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court to answer the extradition request, but his lawyer, Christopher Townsend, indicated that he would contest the extradition. The judge remanded Daniels.
On Tuesday, March 21, 2023, the defense team of Christopher Townsend and Tavares Finson completed a bail application. But the prosecution team objected and suggested that the accused had attempted to escape custody since his arrest.
As a result, the judge suspend the bail application hearing until Wednesday, March 29, 2023, and demanded the prosecution bring evidence to substantiate its claim.