Surinamese businessman Edward Quincy Muntslag will have to wait another month before evidence the United States has against him in his ongoing extradition proceedings is presented to him. Muntslag, 29, who is wanted in the US for conspiring to traffic cocaine into that country, reappeared before Chief Magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar in the Port-of-Spain Eighth Magistrates Court yesterday.Both Muntslag and his attorney Keith Scotland questioned the Central Authority's delay in disclosing evidence that is central in the case.
With the aid of a Dutch translator, Muntslag explained that since he appeared in court on September 26, the details and evidence of the charge he is facing had not been disclosed to him or his attorney.Attorney Jagdeo Singh, who is representing the US, explained that the proceedings had now begun and said "disclosure is an ongoing exercise.""No one can go away with the impression that we are taking advantage of your client," Singh said, addressing Scotland's concerns.Singh explained that extradition proceedings can take some time because of delays by the requesting state in sending necessary documents. He assured the court that the documents would be disclosed to Muntslag before his next court appearance on December 3.Ayers-Caesar read out a document filed by Attorney General Anand Ramlogan on Wednesday which gave her permission to begin hearing the extradition case.
According to the document, Muntslag is charged with knowingly conspiring with others to traffic cocaine by importation and distribution. The offence is alleged to have been committed between December 2011 and August this year.Muntslag is co-accused with Dino Delano Bouterse, the son of Suriname president Desi Bouterse. Dino Bouterse is facing an additional charge for possession of a light anti-tank weapon. He was arrested in Panama in August and has been handed over to US authorities.Muntslag was arrested by the Organised Crime, Narcotics and Firearms Bureau while shopping at Trincity Mall on August 29, shortly after he arrived in Trinidad.On October 11, Ayers-Caesar refused to give Muntslag bail, saying there was no statutory presumption in favour of bail in extradition proceedings. She again reminded Muntslag that he was free to apply to a High Court judge for bail.The US is also being represented by Israel Khan, SC, and Central Authority head Netram Kowlessar.