The drug ring allegedly run by Peoples Democratic Party chieftain and Senator-elect, Buruji Kashamu, in the United States of America, which led to his being sought after, dates back to 20 years ago.

The deal involved heroin.

Though Kashamu was not arrested then, some members of the drug ring caught were sentenced by a Chicago Federal Court.

But the Chicago grand jury in 1998 indicted Kashamu for conspiracy to import and distribute heroin in the US.

It was this case Kashamu said was that of mistaken identity.

He said the person indicted and wanted by the police in the US was his dead brother he closely resembles.

The case, which still remains open in the court, saw to the sentencing of a few people who admitted guilt.

Among those who pleaded guilty was American Piper Kerman, whose memoir was adapted for the Netflix hit: “Orange Is The New Black.”

Kerman’s book never identified Kashamu by name.

He only described the person involved as a West African drug kingpin.

Since then, the court had refused to dismiss the case.

In September, Justice Richard Posner of a Chicago Federal Court refused a motion to dismiss the case.

Posner said there was light in the horizon that Kashamu could be extradited to answer charges pressed against him in absence.

Quoting the United States Department of Justice, the judge said: “The prospects for extradition have recently improved.”

He, however, added: “Given Kashamu’s prominence … the probability of extradition may actually be low.”

Posner’s position could be understandable.

This was because a previous request to extradite Kashamu from the United Kingdom in 2003 failed.

Kashamu spent only five years in a British jail before he was freed because of uncertainty about his identity.

He was reported to be carrying $230,000 when he was arrested there.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, which has put Kashamu under house arrest since Saturday, said it was acting based on a request by the US for his extradition.

The NDLEA said Kashamu will be taken to court on Monday for the extradition process to commence.