By Saju Ng’alla
The burning of a few areas of cane fields seemed to have been the only form of retaliation for the extradition of Noel Heath and Glenroy Matthew, said a senior police officer.
“But we are not letting up on our patrols and we are still on high alert for any kind of retaliation,” the officer said.
The government extradited Noel Heath and Glenroy Matthew to the United States last Thursday evening.
The U.S. Government alleged that the two men participated in conspiracies to import and supply illegal drugs into the U.S.
The two men were placed on a small aircraft Thursday night at about 7:30 p.m. and flown to the U.S. mainland.
At about 10 p.m. the police and the fire department received reports that cane fields close to Ponds Pasture were on fire.
“Clearly somebody started them,” the officer said. He said fire fighters were able to out the fire in areas where power lines were situated. In other areas the fire was allowed to burn itself out.
Friday night, close to the Frigate Bay area, the cane fields were set on fire. This time the fire consumed much more of the area than the night before.
Mile-long stretches of blazing cane fields, could be seen from town and in the Bird Rock areas.
The officer said there were also reports of fires in other parts of the island, but they were not as big as the fire at Frigate Bay.
Prime Minister Douglas said he was not expecting a major retaliation from citizens concerning the extradition.
He said the extradition matter has been kept in the public domain for the last 10 years, and so residents know certain facts about the case.
“It is clear to me that our citizens, who are highly educated and who understand our international obligations would of course control themselves,” Douglas said. “And, understand that all the government has done is facilitate a system of justice that moves between nations and that calls for us to allow final judicial proceeding.”
Douglas said it is important that people understand that no trial has taken place as yet.
“No condemnation has taken place, no sentencing has taken place,” Douglas said. “In fact I am not one of those who prepossess guilt or innocent. In fact it is the judicial system in the U.S. that calls for the two men to be considered innocent until the U.S. government proves them guilty on the charges that has been laid against them.
“I want the people to understand that there was no sentencing by the government of St. Kitts-Nevis. Nor, by the courts of this country.”
Douglas said there is no need for retaliation because there is nothing to retaliate about. He said the courts in the Federation examined the evidence and found the charges and evidence were credible enough for a trial.
“Our people are highly educated and they understand,” Douglas said. “They know the government had no other choice by to obey the law. We are not a rogue state.”
“This is a highly respected state in the international community and we must maintain our image.”
