Christopher Coke
Michael Christopher Coke | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Dudus, Paul Christopher Scott, Presi, President, General, Shortman |
| Occupation | Head of the Shower Posse |
| Criminal status | Arrest warrant issued |
Michael Christopher Coke (born 13 March 1969),[1] also known as Dudus, is an alleged drug lord living in Kingston, Jamaica, who is wanted in the United States for drug and arms trafficking. He is the leader of the Shower Posse, a Jamaican gang which is present in Jamaica, Toronto and New York City and has ties with the Jamaica Labour Party. He is the son of accused drug lord Lester Lloyd Coke. A New York grand jury indictment alleges that he has been involved with gun and drug trafficking since 1994. He leads one of the gangs that control politicized slums known as "garrisons." Political parties created the gangs in the 1970s to rustle up votes. The gangs have since turned to drug trafficking, but each remains closely tied to a political party. Coke's gang is tied to the governing Labor Party.[2]
Extradition to the United States
In 2009 the United States began requesting the extradition of Coke from his native Jamaica.[3][4]
Bruce Golding, the prime minister of Jamaica and leader of the Jamaica Labour Party, initially refused to extradite him, claiming that the United States had used warrantless wiretapping to gather information on Coke. This created tension both between the United States and Jamaica, and within Jamaica itself. On 17 May 2010, however, the Government of Jamaica issued a warrant for Coke's arrest,[5] and senate member Tom Tavares-Finson withdrew as Coke's attorney on 18 May 2010 "in order to avoid conflict of interest".[6]
Following this news, Coke's supporters began protesting and arming themselves, and Kingston was placed under a state of emergency after a series of shootings and firebombings within the city.[7] On 24 May 2010, police and military forces launched a large-scale operation aimed at taking Coke into custody.[8]
See also
References
- ^ Gay, Mara (24 May 2010). "Is Jamaica's Most Wanted Man Like Robin Hood?". AolNews. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
- ^ David McFadden, Jamaica slum controlled by alleged drug kingpin in standoff with police over extradition to US, Winnipeg Free Press, 22 May 2010.
- ^ "Tension in Tivoli as US awaits word on Dudus's extradition", Jamaica Observer
- ^ "This is not Somalia, we hope", The Gleaner
- ^ "Prime Minister Shifts on Approving an Extradition". The New York Times. Associated Press. 17 May 2010. Retrieved 25 May 2010.
- ^ "Tavares-Finson withdraws as arrest warrant out for 'Dudus'". The Daily Herald. 19 May 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-25.
- ^ "Jamaica Declares State of Emergency". The New York Times. Reuters. 23 May 2010. Retrieved 25 May 2010.
- ^ "Jamaica police storm stronghold of alleged drugs lord". BBC News. 25 May 2010. Retrieved 25 May 2010.
External links
- Indictment of Christopher Coke
- Mary Vallis. Police raids reveal links to powerful Jamaican Shower Posse gang. The National Post. May 4, 2010.
- Denise Balkissoon. Deadly Shower Posse gang has deep ties to Toronto: Alleged leader of Jamaica-based drug gang unleashes violence in Kingston just one month after a dozen members arrested here. The Toronto Star. May 25, 2010.
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