Guyanese drug convict Barry Dataram remains in custody in the United States on drug trafficking charges dating back to more than a decade ago.

 Dataram, who was arrested back in January after stepping off a flight at the JFK Airport, is cooperating with US prosecutors and is hoping to strike a plea deal, according to sources familiar with his case.

The 45-year-old Guyanese man who also holds US citizenship was arrested on a number of existing warrants related to drug trafficking in the US.

Fourteen years ago, the US issued an extradition request for Dataram.

However, following several moves to the High Court, his extradition was blocked.

In 2016, a local arrest warrant was issued for him in relation to drug trafficking here. Dataram was nabbed in Suriname and handed over to local authorities.

He was convicted locally on the drug trafficking charges and slapped with a 5 year jail sentence.

After his release, he maintained a low profile, but decided to travel to the US in January after applying for and receiving his US passport.  He was promptly arrested on his arrival in the US. 

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