By Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer 
The police say this is the house of Norris 'Deedo' Nembhard, 52, businessman of Cardiff Hall, near Runaway Bay, St. Ann, who was arrested recently on a warrant seeking his extradition to the United States on drug-related charges. - File
ERODED ROADS run between the tree-lined St. Ann neighbourhood of Cardiff Hall. Behind the trees split-level houses with shingle roofs dominate the landscape, none bigger than the one owned by Norris 'Deedo' Nembhard.
Two men, said to be his sons, descend the long driveway of the residence to meet The Sunday Gleaner's news car. Their expressions are sullen; the stockier of the two notices the vehicle's Gleaner logo, and is apprehensive. "Bwoy, wi can't sey nuthin' still yuh nuh," he said. With that, they head back to the confines of the mansion.
Nembhard, 52, is a hero in Salem, a small district along the picturesque Runaway Bay coastline. On April 21 he and eight other men including five Colombians, were arrested in drug operations in St. Ann and St. James by local police and agents from the United States and United Kingdom.
Nembhard was one of four Jamaicans arrested. Along with Herbert Henry, a police corporal, taxi operator Vivian Dalley and businessman Robroy Williams, Nembhard is in custody at the Horizon Park Remand Centre. They are scheduled to appear at the Corporate Area Criminal Court on May 17 when a date for their extradition hearings will be announced.
At the time of the arrests, Superintendent Carl Williams, head of the Narcotics Division, told The Sunday Gleaner that Nembhard was picked up at a guest house in Salem. The report that Nembhard, who operates the Nembhard's Trucking business in Salem, is accused of being a drug dealer was a revelation to many Salem residents some of whom blocked the roads after his arrest and the seizing of his trucks by police.
"Mi nuh know 'bout nuh drugs, mi nuh si nuh drugs man a come a him place. Missa Deedo a one a the best man 'bout the place," says Lisa, a 32-year-old mother of two children who says she has known Nembhard since she was nine years old. "Him help yuh pay yuh rent, him sen' pickney go school... as long as him si sey yuh is a trying person him help yuh. A whole heap a people right now outa a job 'cause him nuh deh yah."
Most of those who work with Nembhard's Trucking are youth from Salem's hardened back streets. On the day The Sunday Gleaner went to the district, some of them hung out on the empty compound or sat beneath a tree behind the establishment.
BENEFICIARIES
Andrew, 17, is one of the beneficiaries of Nembhard's generosity but says he has not been to school since his arrest. Snoop, a well-built 27-year-old, is incensed at the "big man's" arrest; he too had no knowledge of Nembhard having a drug connection but spoke of his benevolent nature. "Him mek house fi poor people, gi wi work...all dem ya youth weh yuh si roun' mi, haffi go a school," he said. "Mi nuh know 'bout drugs, a jus' bare truck and bulldozer mi know him deal wid."
For someone with such a heavyweight reputation, not much is known about Nembhard the man. He hails from Claremont district in north St. Ann, is said to be married with five children and reportedly loves to take in a day of motor-racing at the nearby Dover track.
According to one of his workers, who refused to give his name, Nembhard prefers to keep a low profile. "Mi brethren, dem man deh don't even have visa. Deedo nuh even go town."
POPULAR
Deputy Superintendent Wilford Gayle of the Runaway Bay police, told The Sunday Gleaner that he has met Nembhard several times and describes him as "popular" throughout the town. He says since April 21, the community has been on edge.
"Right now things are a bit tense, especially in Salem, so we have to be keeping an eye out," he said.
Nembhard gained indirect national attention in May 2003 when Velma Parchment, the Jamaica Labour Party's Member of Parliament for North West St. Ann, lobbied for his company to take over from haulage contractor Winston 'Jose' Walters on the North Coast Highway project in the parish. Parchment was strongly reprimanded by Prime Minister P. J. Patterson for what he called a return to old-time politics. It is not known if Nembhard's company eventually gained work on the project.
The nine persons held in St. Ann and St. James were the latest arrests in the Jamaican police initiative to cripple the illegal drug trade in this country. In March, they arrested two Montego Bay businessmen, Donovan 'Plucki' Williams and Leebert Ramcharan.
Williams and Ramcharan, who are also awaiting extradition hearings, have got strong support from followers whenever they appear in court. Snoop, the unofficial spokesman for Salem's backstreet boys, is adamant Nembhard will get similar backing when he gets his day in court. "Any day him go court wi a go, wi ready fi lock the place," he said.
