Shaheed 'Roger' Khan

The United States made the extradition request on Monday, following a meeting between US Ambassador Marsha Barnes and Suriname government officials, Djamin said.

A grand jury in New York recently indicted Khan on charges of conspiring to import cocaine into the United States and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

During two raids on Thursday, Suriname police arrested Khan, 35, and three ex-policemen: Sean Belfield, Paul Rodrigues and Lloyd Roberts.

Police also detained another Guyanese and seven Surinamese men and seized 213 kilograms (470 pounds) of cocaine.

Khan planned and ordered the assassinations of several government and judicial officials in Suriname, officials here say.

Justice and Police Minister Chandrikapersad Santokhi was to become his first victim, they said.

Apart from narcotics trafficking in the region, the United States and Europe, Khan is also believed to be linked to the weapons trade between Suriname and Guyana.

The suspect may appeal the US extradition request before a Surinamese judge, who will advise on its acceptability. The Justice and Police Minister will have the final word.

Prosecutor General Subhas Punwasi said extradition to any country is not in the cards, as Khan was arrested for possible involvement in the cocaine case in Suriname.

Khan has been on the run since being connected to the theft of AK-47 assault rifles from Guyana Defense Force storage in February.

Suriname and its western neighbor, Guyana, both Caricom countries, do not have an extradition treaty.

Suriname is on the northeast shoulder of South America and has a population 490,000.