By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Chief Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

A US judge has postponed the pretrial conference for three Bahamian men accused of playing key roles in a transnational cocaine trafficking scheme, granting prosecutors more time to disclose evidence and explore possible plea deals.

Chief Superintendent Elvis Curtis, former RBDF chief petty officer Darrin Roker, and Bahamian William Simeon were arrested in the US last year and face charges of conspiracy to import cocaine, firearms possession, and firearms conspiracy.

The charges stem from a sweeping federal investigation alleging that traffickers moved tons of cocaine through The Bahamas into the United States since 2021, aided by corrupt Bahamian government officials, including senior police officers.

A pretrial hearing had been set for March 26, but acting US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Matthew Podolsky requested a delay, citing ongoing discussions about potential pretrial resolutions and the need for more time to review evidence. The request was made with the defendants’ consent.

“The parties are actively engaged in discussions regarding potential pretrial resolutions of this matter and the requested adjournment will allow the parties time to continue those discussions before convening again to set a motions schedule and a trial date, if necessary,” Mr Podolsky wrote in a letter.

On Monday, US District Judge Gregory Woods approved the request, rescheduling the pretrial conference for May 30. He said the delay “will permit the parties to continue to discuss a pretrial resolution of this matter, permit each of the defendants and their respective counsel to receive and review discovery, and permit each of the defendants and their respective counsel time to consider what, if any, motions they may wish to file.”

Judge Woods ruled the delay served the “ends of justice”, outweighing the public’s and defendants’ right to a speedy trial.

Curtis, Roker, and Simeon are among 11 Bahamians named in a federal indictment, alleging they exploited their official positions to enable the flow of drugs into the US.

According to prosecutors, Curtis used his authority to move cocaine and trafficking proceeds through Bahamian airports and other transit points, while Roker allegedly obtained sensitive information from the US Coast Guard and OPBAT, then tipped off traffickers about law enforcement activity.

Simeon is accused of working closely with corrupt police officials to transport cocaine from South America to The Bahamas — primarily by air — and then into the US, typically by boat.

It remains unclear whether US authorities intend to seek the extradition of the other Bahamians named in the indictment.