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24/06/2010 | Jamaican Kingpin Caught Near Capital

Nicholas Casey

A Month After the Bloody Siege of Tivoli Gardens, Police Arrest Accused Drug Lord Who Faces a U.S. Extradition Request

 

Jamaican authorities captured accused drug lord Christopher "Dudus" Coke at a checkpoint outside of Kingston, ending a monthlong manhunt that pitted residents against soldiers and left more than 70 civilians dead.

Mr. Coke, 41 years old, is wanted on drug- and arms-trafficking charges in a New York district court and faces a U.S. extradition request.

Police said at a news conference Tuesday that Mr. Coke was handed over to authorities by the Rev. Al Miller. The Rev. Miller said on a local radio program that he was taking Mr. Coke to the U.S. Embassy when his car was stopped at a checkpoint, possibly indicating that Mr. Coke had intended to give himself up to authorities.

A U.S. Embassy spokeswoman said the embassy is closely following the reports of Mr. Coke's arrest. A U.S. attorney for the Southern District in New York said "we look forward to working closely with the Jamaican authorities to bring Coke to justice."

Capturing Mr. Coke took a heavy toll on Jamaica's capital, Kingston. But it could mark a turning point for the island nation where drug lords have seized power from politicians in recent years.

Last month, Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding issued a warrant for Mr. Coke's arrest and sent police into Mr. Coke's Kingston stronghold, Tivoli Gardens, to find him. But residents loyal to Mr. Coke fought back against security forces with arms that may have been provided by Mr. Coke himself. By the time authorities took control, Mr. Coke was nowhere to be found.

Strongmen like Mr. Coke have been seen as a growing threat to law and order in Jamaica since the 1980s. Known on the island as "dons," they control neighborhoods in the capital and outlying areas through distributing food, gifts and managing local justice. Over decades they have emerged as political kingmakers, too, being counted on by Jamaican politicians for votes.

Mr. Golding has portrayed his decision to arrest Mr. Coke as a first step in a larger war against organized crime. Earlier this month, Mr. Golding's government was tallying victories in the siege on Tivoli Gardens, which they say put a dent in crime. During the operation, more than a dozen other dons surrendered to security forces, the government said.

But the violent siege was unpopular with Jamaicans and prompted a no-confidence vote in parliament, which Mr. Golding narrowly survived. Residents of Tivoli Gardens say unarmed individuals were killed by security forces, allegations the government says it is investigating.

Mr. Coke's father is said to be one of Jamaica's most powerful men. Raised in Kingston in the 1970s, he went by a number of nicknames, according to his grand jury indictment, including "General," "President" and "Shortman." His father, known by the name Jim Brown, is believed to have founded a drug gang called the Shower Posse, which operated both in Kingston and New York.

After the senior Mr. Coke died in jail in 1991—also facing an extradition request—authorities say his son took over the business

Authorities say Mr. Coke left Tivoli Gardens prepared for battle. Security forces collected numerous assault rifles, improvised explosive devices and closed-circuit televisions to monitor intruders. His supporters had also dug underground tunnels and had their own police uniforms, they said. The government says it has fully disarmed the neighborhood and is working to reestablish order there.

Write to Nicholas Casey at nicholas.casey@wsj.com

Wall Street Journal (Estados Unidos)

 


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