PHILIPSBURG--Prosecutors here commended Canadian and American authorities for extraditing suspects in two high-profile local cases this week.

The lone suspect in the 2008 killing of Basilio Bruno arrived in St. Maarten from Canada on Saturday.

U.S. authorities sent a man and his wife back Thursday for trial in last year's tragic boating death in Tortola. The couple was caught stealing, after which American officials realised they were wanted here for human smuggling.

"We are very glad that our colleagues have extradited these suspects," said Prosecutor Rienk Mud Thursday.

Canadian airport authorities held C.W. as he arrived in January based on an international arrest warrant issued for his capture. W. is wanted for questioning in the stabbing death of Bruno, who was known as "Eddy the hairdresser." Bruno was killed near his home on Back Street on Sunday, December 21, 2008, 10 days before his 51st birthday.

"The suspect C.W. was arrested upon arrival and led before the investigating judge last Tuesday," Mud said in a press statement.

American authorities extradited the two suspects involved in the tragic January 2009 human-smuggling boat trip that ended with more than 13 men, women and children dead.

U.S. police arrested 36-year-old R.R. and his 35-year-old wife M.R. on an unrelated charge of shoplifting. Mr. and Mrs. R. are the last two persons believed to be behind the Ajada tragedy in which a boat from St. Maarten crashed off the British Virgin Islands with 25 persons who were trying to go to the U.S.

"They will be further interrogated by the police about their role and their statements will be added to the file that was already completed," Mud said. "For this reason, the suspects will be summoned to appear in court as soon as possible."

Other suspects in the smuggling case were sentenced to jail terms of six to 34 months.