Guyanese ex-cop extradited to US for drug trafficking

The United States Embassy here in Guyana on Friday confirmed that former Guyanese policeman, Shawn Neblett has been extradited the USA where he was wanted for trafficking cocaine. Ranks from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Friday picked up Neblett from a local prison where he was being held on remand pending extradition proceedings in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
At the conclusion of a Preliminary Inquiry (PI), Magistrate Faith McGusty ruled that there was sufficient evidence against Neblett to warrant his extradition to the USA.
Neblett was wanted by the US for his role in trafficking 4.178kg of cocaine, which was found in four parcels inside a suitcase on an outgoing passenger at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) in January 2017.

He was nabbed by local Police in 2019 while attempting to flee to neighbouring Suriname illegally. At the time, he had been blacklisted, but told immigration that he had no knowledge of this.
The April 2019 extradition of US fugitive Troy Thomas has paved the way for similar procedures for criminals hiding in Guyana. Thomas, a Guyanese, who had been living in the US for years, fled to Guyana after allegedly killing Keith Frank, 20, a Guyanese, on December 11, 2011, at Richmond Hill, New York.
He has also been accused of inflicting injuries upon Dr Katherine Maloney, and illegal gun possession. Upon his arrival in the US, he was charged for second-degree murder. Thomas was arrested by Guyanese law enforcement in March 2018, while hiding out at a house at Liliendaal on the East Coast of Demerara.
The US Embassy here in Guyana has said that Thomas’ extradition created a new precedent.
According to the Embassy, Thomas’ extradition reflected over one year of close coordination between the Government of Guyana and the US Embassy. Reacting to Thomas’ extradition, US Ambassador to Guyana Sarah-Ann Lynch had said, “The Government of Guyana’s actions over the past year clearly indicate its dedication to law and order and established norms of international criminal justice – Guyana is moving in the right direction. Establishing a roadmap for future extraditions, bringing a fugitive to justice, making Guyana a safer place for Guyanese citizens – this is the best example of rule of law existing in Guyana.”