Extradition from Jamaica to the United States—“Rasta Teddy”

Ivan Kenneth Huggins, who is also known as “Rasta Teddy,” has waived his right to an extradition hearing in Jamaica.^[1] The Montego Bay businessman is wanted in the United States, along with six other men, for allegedly trafficking tons of cocaine into the United States.^[2] Those six men faced extradition hearings and were ordered to be extradited; they are appealing their decisions.^[3]

Mr. Huggins was arrested last week by Jamaica’s Fugitive Apprehension Team, and has apparently “decided to go to the U.S. to face his trial.”^[4]

The extradition treaty between the US and Jamaica contains a dual-criminality clause.^[5] It also contains a “simplified extradition” clause which states that the person sought can agree “in writing to extradition after personally being advised by a judge or competent magistrate of his right to further extradition proceedings.”^[6] This allows the Requested State to grant extradition without formal proceedings. However, the clause still requires the Rule of Specialty to be adhered to, forbidding prosecution for any offenses that are not approved of in the extradition order.^[7]

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[1] Businessman Waives Right to Extradition Trial, Jamaica Gleaner, Jan. 20, 2006.
[2] Id.
[3] Id.
[4] Id.
[5] Extradition Treaty, Jun. 14, 1983, U.S.-Jamaica, art. II, S. Treaty Doc. No. 98-18 (1991).
[6] Id. art. XV.
[7] Id. (referring to art. XIV).