Gateway Athletics International has issued a statement alluding to the innocence of its managing director Shem Alexander after he was arrested in Jamaica for allegedly trafficking guns and ammunition from the US to Trinidad and Tobago.

Alexander, who also has coaching experience in the TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) with MIC Matura ReUnited, was arrested at the Norman Manley International Airport, Kingston, and taken into custody on November 15 after an extradition request by the US.

The Jamaica Observer reported on November 30 that Alexander appeared in a Corporate Area court and consented in writing to be extradited to the US to stand trial.

Gateway released a statement on November 30 saying, "Mr Alexander has taken a voluntary leave of (absence) as the managing director at Gateway Athletics in order to focus on treating the allegations before him.

"Mr Alexander has maintained his innocence in all of the allegations levelled against him and is eager to fully ventilate the issue in the right forum when the time is appropriate."

Gateway said its managing director is innocent until proven guilty.

"The same natural justice that applies to all also applies to Mr Alexander, that is, the presumption of innocence until proven otherwise.

"There is no further information we can give at this time, but we will update as necessary as information becomes available."

A former manager of St Augustine Secondary's football programme, Alexander has been a rising figure in the local football landscape in the last decade. Under Alexander's watch, Gateway has managed the last three editions of the Republic Cup National Youth Football League, one of the country's premier youth football competitions.

As part of Gateway's role in the Republic Cup, the organisation has also hosted showcase events for the tournament's best footballers to display their skills before foreign college coaches and scouts with the aim of obtaining scholarships.