WESTERN BUREAU:
ANOTHER ST. James man has been detained for his alleged involvement in drug smuggling as local international narcotic agencies continue their crackdown against the illicit trade.
Presley 'Pressa' Bingham, a meat importer who is believed to be in his early 40s, was apprehended by the Fugitive Apprehension Team during an operation in Reading, St. James, last Thursday evening.
According to the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN), Bingham of a Lilliput address has been charged with "conspiracy to distribute cocaine and over 1,000 kilograms of ganja".
The circumstances surrounding his arrest are similar to that of businessman Leebert Ramcharan who was held by local narcotics agents in a raid in Montego Bay on March 3, 2004.
Ramcharan has since been labelled as an international drug kingpin by United States President George W. Bush. He is now challenging an extradition warrant to face drug-related charges in the U.S. St. Ann businessman Norris 'Deedo' Nembhard also has been similarly designated by the U.S. authorities and is facing extradition to that country.
LAWMEN ELUDED
Local police personnel attempted to nab Bingham at his Lilliput residence in March 2004. He reportedly eluded the lawmen and went into hiding.
Within the past 12 months, the parish of St. James, in particular Montego Bay, has been under the local and international spotlight following the arrests of several high-profile businessmen accused of playing leading roles in the international narcotics trade.
In March, four popular Montego Bay residents were arrested in Miami, Florida, on drug trafficking and immigration charges. They are 34-year-old Francis 'Deon' Young, nightclub operator; 32-year-old Dean Drummond of Danger Zone Entertainment, 30-year-old Phillip Rankine and 27-year-old Richard Rouse, the least known of the quartet.
