Wanted Trini extradited to Washington

David Suchit, of Belle Vue Drive, Old Arima Road, D’Abadie, was escorted to the United States by two FBI officials. They left on the delayed American Airlines flight 1818 bound for Miami. On arrival in Miami, they connected to another flight to Dulles International Airport, Washington.

It was only on Monday that Suchit agreed to voluntarily go to the US to face the Grand Jury charges. He appeared before Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls in the Port-of-Spain Eighth Magistrates’ Court and told the court that he had agreed to go and face his trial. It is alleged that Suchit, during the period March 1, 2005 and April 15, 2006, did knowingly and intentionally conspire with other persons to seize and detain Maharaj in order to compel another person to pay a ransom for the release of the said Maharaj.

Suchit had appeared in court with Zion Clarke, Lance Corporal Ricardo De Four, Sgt Leon Nurse, and Kevon Demerieux. The case against the others was adjourned to July 17.

The accused are wanted in Washington DC for hostage-taking, resulting in the death of Maharaj. Maharaj, 62, was kidnapped outside the Samaan Tree Bar in Aranjuez on April 5, 2005. His remains were dug up from a shallow grave in Grand Curacaye, Santa Cruz, on January 8 this year.

David West appeared for the US Government, while attorney Cecil Pope represented Suchit.

Two persons were extradited to Washington DC last month to face the charges — truck driver Russell “Saucy” Joseph, and Winston Gittens, a taxi driver. Six others are charged with Maharaj’s murder. The preliminary inquiry continues today.