A NORTH-EAST couple could be extradited to the US to face drugs charges after the move was approved by the Scottish justice minister, it was confirmed last night.
Brian Howes, 44, and his wife, Kerry Ann Shanks, 30, who previously lived in Middlesbrough, are wanted by US authorities as part of an investigation into the production of crystal meth.
The couple, of Bo'ness, West Lothian, could face 82 charges of supplying chemicals over the internet to people believed to be involved in the production of methamphetamine.
A sheriff recently approved the extradition and referred the case to Scottish ministers for a decision on whether they should be sent to the US.
Justice secretary Kenny MacAskill signed the extradition order for the pair, yesterday.
They can now appeal against that decision.
The case of the couple was last called at Edinburgh Sheriff Court last month, when Sheriff Isabella McColl said she was satisfied that the request from the US met the requirements of the Extradition Act.
The court previously heard claims that chemicals allegedly supplied by the couple were traced to more than 80 illegal laboratories in the US.
US authorities allege that the pair knowingly sold chemicals through their Bo'ness-based internet supplies company for use in the manufacture of the synthetic drug.
The couple, who have four children, were arrested in January last year by Central Scotland Police on behalf of the US Drug Enforcement Agency.
It followed a seven-month operation spanning Scotland, the US, Europe and Australia, which investigated the supply of chemicals used to make drugs including methamphetamine.
Investigators from the US Postal Inspection Service, the Serious and Organised Crime Agency in the UK and Cleveland Police were also involved.
The court previously heard the amount of material recovered during searches of premises in Bo'ness would be enough to make about three-quarters of a ton of crystal meth.
The materials are understood to be illegal in the US, but legal in Britain. The couple deny any wrongdoing and have vowed to fight extradition.
Their legal team now have the option of taking an appeal against the minister's decision to the High Court.
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