Police hold 500 after raid in search of ‘Dudus′ Coke, soldiers order journalists away at gunpoint
The civilian death toll street fighting downtown Kingston reached 44 last night was expected climb further as Jamaican security forces continued efforts flush out alleged drugs baron Christopher “Dudus” Coke.
The latest figures followed visit by an independent assessment team the Tivoli Gardens district, scene the worst fighting, which described appalling conditions residents trapped houses.
Public defender Earl Witter said the majority of the corpses at the morgue “appeared to be those of males under 30. There were no women among the dead.”
Four soldiers police have also died three days of violence after storming of ghetto Monday search of Coke, 42, wanted drugs gun-running charges United States, where he faces life sentence if convicted.
At least 37 people are reported to have been injured. The ministry national security said police had more than 500 people, mostly men, custody after the Tivoli operation. Coke still at large.
Many the victims believed have been gunmen loyal Coke, the alleged leader the notorious Shower Posse gang, unarmed bystanders were also caught up the violence.
Witter said residents, trapped their houses, were desperate need help. “They complained that they were bottled up inside the buildings that were cleared,” he said. “There was no running water, bodily waste was stored pails.
“In section called Rasta City there were some 30 children, many of them toddlers, who needed particular care. In one case mother was injured taken hospital she left her 18-month-old son no one particular.”
One resident in west Kingston implored reporters: “We get no food. Like dog.Hungry.” But journalists trying to enter the area were met soldiers who trained assault rifles on their vehicles ordered them back.
Today bulldozers were brought to clear makeshift barricades of sandbags, barbed wire junked cars thrown up by Coke’s supporters.
More than 2,000 soldiers police were involved the operation launched on Monday after Jamaica finally agreed to request made by the US nine months ago for Coke’s extradition.
He had built up a vast arsenal as well as strong support among residents in his west Kingston stronghold. Locals call him “the president” and rely him for means provide food and schooling. One placard seen at a barricade read: “Jesus died for us. We will die for Dudus.”
Soldiers told local media five-hour gun battles the city streets, and there are fears fighting could continue. “These are young men who have been given guns and money to fight until the end,” the Catholic archbishop Kingston, Donald James Reece, told Vatican Radio.
Jamaica’s prime minister, Bruce Golding, admitted that he had been taken aback the intensity of the violence – much of which was played out his own constituency.
Golding told MPs the government deeply regretted the loss lives. He said the “most thorough investigations″ would undertaken examine all deaths caused the security forces, which have developed a reputation slipshod investigations and trigger-happiness.
US authorities claim Coke has been trafficking cocaine US and shipping firearms Jamaica since mid-90s.
But his organisation also deeply rooted communities Tivoli Gardens. Geoff Thale, director Washington Office Latin America thinktank, said that posses should not equated with drug cartels Central America or gangs Los Angeles. “In Jamaica, posses close political parties,” Thale said.
In report on illegal drugs published in March, the American state department was unusually tough in its criticism the Jamaican government, particularly its apparent foot-dragging over US request extradite Coke.
The government initially refused sign extradition papers grounds that much evidence against Coke was taken an illegal wiretap.
Golding has come under increasing pressure his role affair after he was forced admit that he approved hiring US law firm lobby against extradition request.
But today prime minister complained that he was victim an international conspiracy undermine Jamaican government.
In statement, Golding described as “scurrilous malicious” foreign media reports linking him to Coke. Golding said he “categorically denied dismissed as extremely offensive” reports the American TV network ABC, which he said described him as “a known criminal affiliate” Coke .
He said he was outraged an article the Independent, alleging the Shower Posse was on the payroll of the Jamaican prime minister.
“He said both publications, by seeking link him personally with the alleged drug kingpin, were clearly part conspiracy undermine the duly elected government Jamaica,” the statement continued.
Leader comment, page 40
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