4 Americans Face Weapons Smuggling Charges in Argentina

Four Americans, arrested in Brazil last year in connection with six tons of arms they said were being shipped to rebels in West Africa, were taken before an Argentine judge Monday to face smuggling charges, authorities said.

Brazil on Saturday extradited the four to Argentina, where they have been held incommunicado since. Federal Judge Jorge Pisarenco conducted Monday’s hearing in private. A court secretary said that statements were taken, but did not reveal details.

The four were among eight Americans arrested last March 14 after Brazilian authorities found the weapons on their ship, the Panamanian-registered Nobistor. The men were charged with trying to ship weapons to rebels fighting the government of Ghanaian leader Jerry J. Rawlings. They were convicted in a Brazilian court in June, but that ruling was overturned in October.

The Americans remained in custody, however, pending Argentina’s extradition request. Four of the eight broke out of a Brazilian prison last month and escaped.

Officials contend that the weapons were exported from Argentina under the false pretense that they were destined for the Ghanaian government, not rebels.