An apparent conflict of interest created another delay in alleged drug kingpin Samuel “Ninety” Knowles facing formal drug charges in a Florida court on Tuesday.
It was the third time the proceedings were postponed.
The US government had appointed Stewart Abrams to represent Knowles in the case, but the Bahama Journal has learnt that the Assistant Federal Public Defender represented one of the prosecutionﾒs key witnesses, Brian Bethel, in an earlier case.
Knowles, who was extradited three weeks ago, has been trying to secure private counsel to represent him. He is now scheduled to return to court on October 3 at 9am.
The indictment against the accused drug kingpin seeks the forfeiture of $19.5 million, which U.S. authorities say represents money received in exchange for and to facilitate the distribution of drugs.
Knowles is alleged to have been a participant in a conspiracy between 1995 and 1996 to import several thousand kilograms of cocaine into the United States using go-fast boats.
He is charged with conspiracy to import cocaine and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine in violation of US law.
The four other counts contained in the indictment are substantive importation and possession charges, each naming certain defendants in violation of US law.
If convicted on the conspiracy charges, the defendants would face a maximum statutory sentence of life imprisonment on each count.
Assistant United States attorney George M. Karavestos is prosecuting the case.
Sources say Knowles, who was dressed in a tan-coloured prison uniform, looked well on Tuesday.
His wife and two young gentlemen were reportedly in court to support him.
US officials are hopeful that another 24 persons will be extradited from The Bahamas to face charges, mainly in connection with alleged drug trafficking.
Four of those persons ﾖ Devroy Moss, Trevor Roberts, and Brian and Lynden Deal ﾖ were recently rearrested after getting bail several weeks ago.
Others wanted by the United States are Gordon Newbold, Sheldon Moore, Melvin Maycock Jr., Torry Lockhart, Laron Lockhart, Carl Culmer, Wilfred Ferguson, Avery Humes, Derek Rigby, Lemuel Gibson, Dwight and Keva Major, Austin Knowles, Nathaniel Knowles, Shawn Breuy, Ian Bethel, Edson Watson, Viktor Kozeny and Henry Smith.
By: Macushla N. Pinder, The Bahama Journal
