Nassau, Bahamas – The trial of accused drug dealer Shawn Saunders, otherwise known as Shawn Bruey, is expected to begin on February 14 in Florida.
Saunders, 52, was extradited from The Bahamas to Florida to face drug smuggling charges on December 22, 2021, 19 years after American authorities requested his extradition.
Prosecutors allege that Saunders, an American citizen, was part of a drug trafficking organization headed by Austin “Ozzie” Knowles that smuggled Colombian cocaine into Florida.
Knowles ended his fight against extradition in 2018 and was sentenced to 12 years, less the five years spent in custody. He also forfeited $1 million.
Meanwhile, three other members of the drug trafficking organization are expected to be sentenced in Florida on January 27.
Edson Watson, Nathaniel Knowles and former policeman Ian Bethel pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States in November 2021.
They were extradited last September.
