‘Zambo’ returns to Federation

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport was today (Sept. 2) abuzz with activities as family members, friends and brethren of The Nyabinghi Theocracy Order turned out in large numbers to welcome Noel ‘Zambo’ Heath’s return to St. Kitts-Nevis after serving just over two years in a United States prison. 

The freed man disembarked an American Airlines aircraft at approximately 1 p.m. as the large welcoming party anxiously awaited his presence just outside of the arrival gate. 

Speaking to SKNVibes, Heath said that he would be going to “the holy sanctuary of the Nyabinghi Tabernacle for prayer and meditation upon nature”.

Heath said that he wanted peace of mind before he could do anything, including giving a further comment to the media. He also extended blessings to the nation and “the good, the bad and the indifferent”. 

Heath pleaded guilty in December 2006 to “conspiracy to violate the Federal Narcotics Laws, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846” according to the US Department of Justice. The law “makes it a crime for anyone to conspire with someone else to commit an offense against the laws of the United States”.

The charge stemmed from a June-July 1992 incident in which Heath participated in a conspiracy to ship 13 kilogrammes of cocaine into the US for further distribution in the Western District of New York.

The US Department of Justice further stated in a press release at the time of the case that “in his plea before the Hon. David G. Larimer, United States District Court Judge, …[Heath] admitted that he personally arranged for the shipment of the 13 kilogrammes of cocaine from St. Thomas to New York City, sending the cocaine on a commercial airline to New York City. Heath admitted that he was aware that the final destination for the cocaine was Rochester, New York, where it was to be further distributed”.

Information gleaned from a wiretap investigation by US law enforcement officials resulted in the 13 kilogrammes being seized from a tractor trailer “being operated by two accomplices on the New York State thruway”.

“After the seizure, officials intercepted and recorded several additional incriminating phone calls between a co-conspirator here in Rochester and Noel Heath on the island of St. Kitts and Nevis, wherein the seizure of the 13 kilogrammes is clearly discussed,” the release further stated.

On April 5, 2007, Heath was sentenced to four years in prison for the crime. The typical sentencing for the crime ranges between 70 and 87 months (5.8-7.3 years), but the Kittitian was given a reduced sentence. 

According to a report by The Sun St. Kitts-Nevis after the sentencing, consideration was given to Heath’s age (57 years at the time), extended time away from his family and “the certainty that he will be deported” after serving his time.

Prior to facing the courts in the US, Heath entered a long and controversial legal battle to avoid his extradition to that country. Glenroy ‘Bobo’ Matthew also faced extradition at that time for similar drug charges in Florida. 

Both men were ultimately handed over to US authorities on March 2, 2006 after exhausting their rights of appeal.