B.V.I. Thursday, February 12 – The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council yesterday dismissed the petition of Malcolm Maduro seeking special leave to challenge the Court of Appeal’s dismissal of his appeal of his conviction for possession of cocaine and blackmail. 

The conviction and sentence are therefore affirmed.  The Judicial Committee comprising Lord Rodger of Earlsferry, Lord Carswell and Lord Neuberger further ordered that Mr. Maduro pay costs to the prosecution.

Mr. Maduro was convicted on June 15, 2007 for blackmail and possession of cocaine and sentenced to three years imprisonment for blackmail and three years imprisonment for possession of a controlled drug, to run concurrently. Mr. Maduro was also ordered to pay a fine of $200,000 or in default, serve two years imprisonment.  The judge ordered this two year sentence to run consecutively to the two concurrent three year terms of imprisonment.

His appeal was dismissed by the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal on January 28, 2008. 

At the Privy Council Mr. Maduro was represented by Mr. Thomas Roe of the English Bar and the Crown was represented by Mr. Terrence F. Williams, Director of Public Prosecutions.