A resident of Trinidad and Tobago, Shurlan Guppy, also known as Shurlan Gorin, Rafael Oquendo, Christopher Hughes Matthews, and Marc Roman, has been extradited to the United States to face federal drug charges. According to U.S. Attorney David Metcalf for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Guppy was arrested and charged by indictment with conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin and cocaine along with related offenses.
Guppy appeared last week in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania after being extradited from Trinidad and Tobago. He was ordered detained following a detention hearing.
The indictment alleges that from approximately 2017 through July 2022, Guppy conspired with others to distribute bulk quantities of controlled substances such as heroin and cocaine across multiple jurisdictions including the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the District of Delaware. The indictment further claims that Guppy distributed these substances both in person and using various delivery services in exchange for cash.
According to prosecutors, Guppy and his associates communicated using cell phones, Facetime, and encrypted applications like WhatsApp to coordinate pricing, availability, delivery, and payment for drugs. The indictment states that coded language was sometimes used during these discussions.
If convicted on all counts, Guppy faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment with a mandatory minimum term of ten years.
The Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation into this case. Assistant United States Attorney Lizmar Bosques is prosecuting it.
Authorities noted significant cooperation from several agencies in Trinidad and Tobago—including its Police Service’s Transnational Organized Crime Unit; Central Authority within the Office of the Attorney General; Customs and Immigration; Airports Authority—as well as U.S. Marshals Service; Customs and Border Protection; U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service; and the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs.
“The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty in court,” officials stated.
