- Published Date: 01 April 2008
- Source: Edinburgh Evening News
- Location: Edinburgh
Chemical charges couple get wed before deportation fight
Kerry and Brian Howes attend their wedding despite facing extradition to the U.S. Picture: Ed Jones
A COUPLE fighting extradition to America amid claims that they sold banned chemicals over the internet today prepared for the next stage of their legal battle – by getting married.
Brian Howes and partner Kerry Ann Shanks were due to be accompanied by their four young daughters as bridesmaids at a service at Bo'ness Registrar's Office this morning.
The couple plan to spend their first day of marriage warning the four girls – aged from two to ten – that they could be just hours away from forced separation.
The couple are due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday to hear whether they will face deportation to America, where they could face a jail term of almost 100 years.
US authorities claim they knowingly sold chemicals through their Bo'ness-based internet supplies company for use in the manufacture of the synthetic drug methamphetamine, also known as crystal meth.
Mr Howes, 44, and Ms Shanks, 29, argue the chemicals – red phosphorus and iodine – have been sold through their firm around the UK, Europe and Canada without a problem. They deny 80 charges in the US indictment which allege they were involved in a $60-80 million drugs ring.
Despite never being formally charged in relation to any offence in the UK, both were remanded in custody for seven months following an earlier extradition hearing.
They were released on bail after Mr Howes had spent a month on hunger strike in Saughton prison protesting his innocence.
"We've been talking about getting married for years," said Mr Howes. "We thought that this might well be our last chance – it might be the last time we are both free together.
"We're having a small family wedding with the girls as our bridesmaids. Kerry has picked a nice dress. We've even hired a limo and booked a nice restaurant. It's not a lavish do though, we've had to borrow money to pay for it."
The shoestring wedding comes despite allegations that the pair made hundreds of thousands selling chemicals to illegal US drug laboratories.
The claims emerged after a raid on the couple's home and internet business last year when American drug enforcement officers joined Scottish police in a detailed search of their property. Later, US officials claimed the two chemicals – which are legal in Scotland but tightly controlled in America – had been knowingly sold for drug manufacture. A warrant for their arrest and extradition was issued by a court in Phoenix, Arizona.
The couple, who sold more than 40 different chemicals through their firm, insist they did not know what the substances might be used for. "How could we know what someone was using it for?" said Mr Howes. "We took legal advice and were told it was up to the purchaser to make sure they were acting legally."
He added: "We have been banged up in jail with hardened criminals but we haven't done anything wrong. We know we might be back in jail on Thursday, so we're determined to make sure our wedding day is the best it can be."
The couple plan to spend their first day of marriage warning the four girls – aged from two to ten – that they could be just hours away from forced separation.
The couple are due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday to hear whether they will face deportation to America, where they could face a jail term of almost 100 years.
US authorities claim they knowingly sold chemicals through their Bo'ness-based internet supplies company for use in the manufacture of the synthetic drug methamphetamine, also known as crystal meth.
Mr Howes, 44, and Ms Shanks, 29, argue the chemicals – red phosphorus and iodine – have been sold through their firm around the UK, Europe and Canada without a problem. They deny 80 charges in the US indictment which allege they were involved in a $60-80 million drugs ring.
Despite never being formally charged in relation to any offence in the UK, both were remanded in custody for seven months following an earlier extradition hearing.
They were released on bail after Mr Howes had spent a month on hunger strike in Saughton prison protesting his innocence.
"We've been talking about getting married for years," said Mr Howes. "We thought that this might well be our last chance – it might be the last time we are both free together.
"We're having a small family wedding with the girls as our bridesmaids. Kerry has picked a nice dress. We've even hired a limo and booked a nice restaurant. It's not a lavish do though, we've had to borrow money to pay for it."
The shoestring wedding comes despite allegations that the pair made hundreds of thousands selling chemicals to illegal US drug laboratories.
The claims emerged after a raid on the couple's home and internet business last year when American drug enforcement officers joined Scottish police in a detailed search of their property. Later, US officials claimed the two chemicals – which are legal in Scotland but tightly controlled in America – had been knowingly sold for drug manufacture. A warrant for their arrest and extradition was issued by a court in Phoenix, Arizona.
The couple, who sold more than 40 different chemicals through their firm, insist they did not know what the substances might be used for. "How could we know what someone was using it for?" said Mr Howes. "We took legal advice and were told it was up to the purchaser to make sure they were acting legally."
He added: "We have been banged up in jail with hardened criminals but we haven't done anything wrong. We know we might be back in jail on Thursday, so we're determined to make sure our wedding day is the best it can be."
The full article contains 515 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
Last Updated: 01 April 2008 11:28 AM
Kerry and Brian Howie attend their wedding despite facing extradition to the U.S. Picture: Ed Jones
Kerry and Brian Howie attend their wedding despite facing extradition to the U.S. Picture: Ed Jones
Kerry and Brian Howie attend their wedding despite facing extradition to the U.S. Picture: Ed Jones
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By SANDRA DICK
A COUPLE fighting extradition to America amid claims that they sold banned chemicals over the internet today prepared for the next stage of their legal battle – by getting married.
Brian Howes and partner Kerry Ann Shanks were due to be"
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