A judge in the States is expected to set a trial date shortly for a Bermudian accused of running a drug smuggling ring.

Anthony Quinton Beach was arrested in Jamaica last September as he tried to leave the Caribbean country.

He has since been extradited to the US where he faces 11 counts brought by the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

The charges include conspiring to import and possession with intent to distribute of cocaine, heroin, crack and marijuana in the northern district of Georgia.

A DEA spokeswoman told The Royal Gazette yesterday that the administration was now waiting for a judge to set a date for the case to be heard in court.

"Mr. Beach is here, some motions have been filed and we are awaiting a trial date to be set," she said.

Beach gave officers in Jamaica his address as Alexandra Road, Devonshire and told them he was a painter and decorator.

He was indicted in the US in February, 2003 for allegedly operating a drug smuggling ring.

He went to Jamaica on July 7 last year but was picked up by the Fugitive Apprehension Team and Organised Crime Unit as he tried to leave via Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay.

Beach faces four charges of possession with intent to distribute drugs in Georgia and elsewhere between November 1997 and March 8, 2001; four charges of conspiring to import drugs into the US from Jamaica between the same dates and three charges of possession with intent to distribute drugs in Georgia and elsewhere between March 1 and 8, 2001.