Trinidadian Dexter Renaud was expected to be extradited last night to the United States after being indicted by a grand jury on two counts of attempting to traffic cocaine into the United States.

Renaud, 45, lost his extradition application on July 15 before Chief Magistrate Sherman McNicolls.

Renaud, who has several addresses ranging from Petit Bourg, San Juan, Diego Martin and also Point Fortin, is also wanted on two counts of conspiring with fellow Trinidadian Dennis Amoa Benn to traffick the drug, contrary to Section 5 (4) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1991, as amended.

Benn, of Crescent Street, Trincity, was extradited to the US on March 6 to answer the charges.

Renaud, also called Claudius Joseph, was arrested after returning to Trinidad from Grenada in April.

His arrest followed the collaborative efforts of the Organised Crime Narcotics and Firearms Bureau (OCNFB), and US-based law enforcement - Drug Enforcement Agency, the Counter Drug and Crime Task Force and also the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

In contesting his extradition, Renaud, who retained the services of Senior Counsel Osbourne Charles and attorney Richard Mason, argued the extradition application was void, as from the phrasing of various statements, the assistant attorney who certified the document seemed to have no power to prosecute.

But Senior Counsel Alvin Fitzpatrick SC, who represented the State, provided proof that the assistant attorney did indeed act on behalf of the United States of America, and more importantly, he had acted with prosecuting authority.

At the end of the arguments, McNicolls said enough evidence was provided to prove that the attorney who signed the document had acted with the appropriate authority and granted the extradition application.

The application was then granted by the Chief Magistrate.