Mobile Site | About Us | Newsletter

News

J’cans give US dirt on Dudus

5 prominent locals on US list of informants

Sunday, March 07, 2010

FIVE well-known Jamaicans are among a number of witnesses whose statements the United States Government intends to use against Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke, the diminutive and powerful Western Kingston don who has strong family and business connections in the constituency of Prime Minister Bruce Golding.

Highly placed authoritative sources have told the Sunday Observer that included in the five are three well-known underworld figures — one a convict deportee, another an accused against whom no convictions have been secured so far, and the third an individual currently residing in the US at the pleasure of that country’s federal prison system.

According to the sources, two of the three underworld figures are connected to Jamaica’s two major political parties — one to the ruling Jamaica Labour Party and the other to the Opposition People’s National Party.

The sources also say that both have been granted residency status in the United States in exchange for information against Coke, and at least two of the three are those referred to as co-conspirators in the indictment filed by American authorities against Coke.

The Sunday Observer sources also referred to the fourth and fifth witnesses as “professional informants”, meaning that they have given statements in their roles as career professionals.

Christopher Michael Coke, aka ‘Michael Christopher Coke’; ‘Paul Christopher Scott’; ‘Presi’; ‘General’; ‘President’; ‘Dudus’ and ‘Shortman’ was indicted on two counts — conspiracy to distribute marijuana and cocaine, and conspiracy to traffic in firearms.

According to the indictment filed in the US District Court Southern District of New York, Coke and others known and unknown, “unlawfully, intentionally, and knowingly combined, conspired, confederated, and agreed together and with each other to violate the narcotics laws of the United States” in the Southern District of New York and elsewhere.

The alleged acts, the US said, were committed “from at least in or about 1994, up to and including in or about October 2007”.

The indictment also accused Coke and others of unlawfully, intentionally, and knowingly distributing and possessing with intent to distribute, 1,000 kilograms and more of mixtures and substances containing a detectable amount of marijuana, and five kilograms and more of mixtures and substances containing a detectable amount of cocaine in violation of Sections 812, 841(a) (1), and 841(b) (1) (A) of Title 21, United States Code.

The indictment also accuses Coke of illegally importing guns into Jamaica “via a

wharf located adjacent to Tivoli Gardens” and outlines telephone conversations the US

authorities say were conducted between Coke and a number of unnamed coconspirators regarding the shipment of guns and narcotics.

The Jamaican Government’s handling of the Americans’ extradition request for Coke, submitted last August, has soured relations between both countries in recent months.

Last December, Prime Minister Golding, in answering questions on the extradition posed in the Parliament by former national security minister Dr Peter Phillips, blamed the US for the delay in processing the extradition request.

According to Golding, Washington had not followed proper procedure in issuing the request and was in violation of Jamaican domestic laws.

“Most requests that have been received depend for their process on the provisions of the Extradition Treaty with the particular country and on the Extradition Act,” Golding said at the time. “This particular request is somewhat different in that it also relies for its validity on the provisions of the Mutual Assistance Criminal Matters Act. The Government of Jamaica has raised with the US authorities issues regarding its compliance with that Act.”

Golding, however, refused to state the breach, a position which infuriated Opposition MPs who argued that the explanation did not stand to reason and pressed for more details.

Last Monday, in its annual International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, Washington questioned Kingston’s commitment to law enforcement co-operation and blasted the Golding administration for procrastinating on the request.

“Jamaica’s processing of the extradition request has been subjected to unprecedented delays, unexplained disclosure of law enforcement information to the press, and unfounded allegations questioning the US’ compliance with the MLAT (Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty) and Jamaican law,” said the State Department.

“The Government of Jamaica’s unusual handling of the August request for the extradition of a high-profile Jamaican crime lord, with reported ties to the ruling Jamaica Labour Party, which currently holds a majority in Parliament, on alleged drug and firearms trafficking charges marked a dramatic change in Kingston’s previous co-operation on extradition, including a temporary suspension

in the processing of all other pending requests and raises serious questions about the Government’s commitment to combating transnational crime,” the State Department said.

But the following day in the Parliament, Golding defended the Government’s decision not to begin the extradition process, arguing that the procedure used by the US to obtain evidence against Coke violated Jamaican law.

According to Golding, the evidence supporting the extradition request violated the Interception of Communications Act which makes strict provisions for the manner in which intercepted communications may be obtained and disclosed.

“So serious an offence is this violation that the penalty provided by law is a maximum fine of $5 million or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or to both such fine and imprisonment,” Golding said.

“I’m not defending the wrongdoing of any person, but I will say this: If I have to pay a political price for it I’m going to hold a position that constitutional rights do not begin at Liguanea. That’s not where they start,” said Golding.

The United States Embassy in Kingston is located in Liguanea.

At the same time, Golding said that his Government had indicated to the Americans that if they have other evidence against Coke, “the procurement and disclosure of which were not in violation of Jamaican law”, the justice minister would be prepared to accept that evidence and issue the necessary authority to proceed.

Late Friday night, US-based Jamaican attorney David Rowe said that there was no benefit in foot-dragging on the case as there is no statue of limitations to the Grand Jury indictment against Coke.

He also emphasised the importance of such cases being brought quickly to trial, saying that the longer the case stalls the more difficult it will be for witnesses to be available.

“Similarly, from a pragmatic standpoint the USA has to make sure that the informants who were or are not incarcerated were made safe before the indictment and extradition request,” said Rowe.

He said the actual testimony of the informants would be given to the defence but much closer to the trial date and there is good reason for that as the state has an interest in protecting the witness in the interest of jurisprudence.

On September 17 last year, two days after US State Department spokesman Ian Kelly labelled Jamaica a “major illicit drug-producing country”, a highly placed US source told the Sunday Observer that Washington would begin cancelling the visas of highprofile Jamaicans.

“There is one thing that Jamaicans love more than their country, and it’s their US visa, and America knows that,” the source said at the time.

Since then, attempts by the Sunday Observer to develop the story have met a firewall. In fact, when the newspaper tried to contact an official at the US Department of Justice, International Affairs we were told to send an e-mail to verify the authenticity of the reporter and news organisation, and even that did not yield any results.

Two weeks ago, chairman of the State-run Urban Development Corporation and president of the Jamaica Employers’ Federation Wayne Chen found out that his US visa was cancelled when he went to the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston with his family en route to Los Angeles.

News of the visa cancellation fuelled speculation that it was done in retaliation for Jamaica’s reluctance in handing over Coke to the Americans.

However, last Tuesday in Parliament, Prime Minister Golding said that he was assured by the US that the Chen matter was not related to the extradition request for Coke.

POST A COMMENT

You must first register and then login to be able to post a comment.

HOUSE RULES

1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper – email addresses will not be published.

2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.

3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.

4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.

5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.

6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.

7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy, and before commenting you need to register, conveniently, by clicking the link above.

COMMENTS (21)

6/3/2010

hmm dis is very interesting..

Wharf Dawg
3/8/2010

Constitution says no dual citizens should sit in Gordon House. Many said the Constitution is flawed. Now the Constitution is being used by the same people to prevent justice from taking its course.
Oh by the way, can you imagine if the PM or the Justice Minister had US citizenship what sorts of US laws they'd be breaking?
I want all of you to think on these things.

3/8/2010

Foolish article can not see the reason for it except the contused campaign to obscure the facts.
What if Short Man was accused by the local police of roughly the same offenses, wanted but not yet arrested. Not before the courts in any way, shape or form, would The Jamaica Observer feel comfortable in publishing such a story?
The story itself seems highly suspicious, no sources just a cobbling together of opinion and fact-light reporting, near the end of which is repeated, the unproven connection with Mr. Chen visa getting tek wheh and the refusal to send Short Man.
...TG....

Michelle Ray
3/8/2010

Ditto: your political leaders are just like ours in America, they have no accountability, backbone or respect for the people who voted them in office. They all lie to get in and then they become corrupt!

Wayne L
3/7/2010

I'm still looking to see one Jamaican defend the constitution and the laws of jamaica in these post. But so far none. Brings me to the conclusion that all of you are so dependent. It appears that if there is no US, Jamaica would simply cease to exist.
I would love for you all to stop and think for a minute. Several countries have charged, tried and improsoned American citizens and without a shred of evidence, the US pleads their innocence. From reading these post I see there is absolutely no patriotism in any one of you. You all are no better than the blacks that captured their kind in Afrika and sold them off to the Slave merchants during the days of slavery.

Jay Basla
3/7/2010

You hit the nail right on the head Mr. Gentles. The Observer is clearly, by their headline and tone of the article, perpetuating the "informa fi dead culture." I say do away with this Observer. You have a very important role to play within the society, that of the "fourth estate" or the proverbial "watchdogs" of society. In so doing, not only should the information be brought to the public, but IMPORTANTLY, it must be so done in an unbiased and RESPONSIBLE manner.

bobbie knight
3/7/2010

There is absolutely nothing called “accountability” within the country especially when it comes to our political leaders and others of prominence. How much longer must we pretend? Former leaders and present leaders are all caught up in corruption in this country. Guns and ammunition did not come into the island by people from the lower income bracket who got bored one day and said “lets bring guns into the island and start killing the opposition”. Nor did poor farmers looking to try a new, way import it into the country. We all know who are responsible.
Can you just imagine if any of these “so-called Area Leaders” (Dons) were ever to talk or write a tell-all book with names etc. It’s ironic, but to a certain degree I almost feel sorry for many of these Area Leaders/Dons as they got caught up in an illusion of life. Ninety nine percent of these individuals came from the lower strata of life both financially and otherwise. They got caught up by the biding of their political leaders and carried out their bidding. But as much money as they made and name recognition, this still did not put them at the same social level as they might have envisioned. Is it not a reality to people that the politicians divided the country up as the renowned Dr. Carl Stone called it “garrison communities”.
This was done in giving them the upper hand in bringing a united nation to a haven of tribalism.
It is way beyond embarrassing and just downright obvious in the present situation with Mr. Christopher Coke otherwise known as Dudus. I am not going to sit here and accuse Mr. Coke of anything, as I have no proof of any of his dealings be it legal or illegal. The only advice I would offer Mr. Coke is if there is nothing to hide, then stand up and defend yourself, your integrity etc.
If not, then protect yourself and expose those who might have gotten you into this problem? One thing will be guaranteed, if you are found guilty; you will be paying the piper alone.
As a nation we need to stamp out something that has become common place in the country. Corruption extends to those who do not comply with the laws of the land by avoiding paying taxes and accepting bribes/favors that are illegal. Those who import products into the country and skirting the law by not paying the proper duties/taxes because of their influences. Unfortunately those of less influence and financial prominence do not realize that this hurts them in less taxes going towards their country’s infrastructure. But more important, people need to stand up to these political corrupter's who are not feeling any pain. They have been given the duties to act on your behalf in an honest fashion. They are not dying; it is you the people who are been killed by each other. Remember if it comes close to them, many of them have what the masses do not have; that’s a visa or citizenship in a foreign country and the ability to fly out of the country tomorrow. Think people think.

Peter Barnz
3/7/2010

Mr. Golden is right not to give in to the US. All of you people who are saying that he should send Coke what if it were you they wanted, and they did not fallow the popper and lawful procedure. Would you want to be sent overseas? The rights of one are the rights of all no matter who he or she is.

Yard Vibz
3/7/2010

Carlos King, a how yuh luv pasa-pasa so? So wha dem seh, yard man a rat out di don? Alright, serious thing now, assuming that this article was not fabricated, and will be able to gain traction on the international front, the info here could further tarnish Jamaica’s fragile imagine globally. By the way, I have zeroed in on the statement, which magnifies America’s superior intelligence gathering techniques. Unlike our security teams, who consistently ‘out di light’ of alleged wrongdoers and destroy all potential witnesses or informants in the process, Uncle Sam makes it perfectly clear that criminals should be placed behind bars because that’s where they are most useful.
The perception of ‘man a rat out man,’ carries a completely different stigma up North. In fact, it is considered as a very lucrative gig, used by convicts in their endeavors to vie for reduced sentences. It is customary for remaining members of a posse to leave town (bugga), when they receive winds of a busted comrade. You see, law enforcement officers consistently toy with the minds of these men, and we have to bear in mind that most of them never tek book a school, so when faced with interrogations, they may even call their deceased mother’s name.
Anyhow, has anyone see or hear from Winston A? Mek mi hear yuh King, you were one of the few posters, who lobbied tirelessly for cops to bring in alleged criminals alive because that’s the only way we stand a chance of catching the other 10 to 15 gang members. I sincerely hope that the method employed by the US agencies in their efforts to gain entries to our homes without breaking in, will be looked at in Jamaica, before the country’s erosion reaches stage 4 cancer of the colon. Peace out!

dennis wilson
3/7/2010

I must commend you for your thorough insight into this current fiasco,so far I found your article well researched and unbiased..Many of your readers that have responded to the various editorials, apparently have missed out on several key issues and questions. ONE CANNOT VIOLATE THE LAW TO ENFORCE THE LAW.
IS IT AN EMBASSY, AN OUTPOST OR A FORT? Most jamaican are aghast at the level of criminality and corruption existing in Jamaica..as a Photojournalist, visited ing Jamaica, I come across a wide cross section of people who are just too scared to talk, and are tired of the political nepotism, cronyism in respect to the criminal underworld and people of the privilege class. let me say this isn't endemic to the jamaican society, just ask the successive US governments, the difference is when they does it, it looks good , and the main characters either become elected or become famous. Has Dudus broken the law in Jamaica? and if yes, why isn't he been arrested?...How long as this communication Law in Jamaica been violated in respect to other Defendants that was extradited? Is this a situation where, because of the person in question, there's a hands off position taken? will there be any arrest for the perpetrators who broke the communication law? Apparently The OUTPOST(EMBSSY) has been pre-occupied with BUGGING the lines of Jamaican citizens rather than been a respected guest in an host country....Yes an end to the savagery, brutality and political corruption that exist in Jamaica, but ONLY JAMAICA CAN SOLVED THAT....JAMAICA IS STILL A FREE AND DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY WITH AN ELECTED GOVERNMENT.

Karen Lee
3/7/2010

BRUCE MUST NOT BE INVOLVED AND DI STATE DEPARTMENT NAH BREAK NUH CONSTITUTIONAL LAW...BRUCE FRAID FI CONSEQUENCES...HE SHOULD NOT LEAD THE COUNTRY IF HIM NUH HAVE THE BALLS FI DO THE RIGHT THING...

josh davis
3/7/2010

jamaican constitution..lol..what is that?

Richard Edwards
3/7/2010

Mr. Francis.
Mr. Rowe, like everyone else here, has the right to express their opinions to sir, regardless of how stupid you might find them--that is elementary. Yes, Jamaican has a constitution too, I agree with you on that, but only when it is convenient for some we talk about the constitution. I must remind you that this is the same Bruce Golding that was tableing a Bill in Parliament, that would allow the police in Jamaican to detain innocent civilians without charge for as long as they see fit, how constitutional is that Mr Francis. The Jamaican Politicans are a set of liars and deceivers, they have wrecked that country, and as one person rightly post on here, maybe the Canadian, American and the British counsulate over there in Jamaica should cancel everyone of them visa, let them stay there in the filth and curroption that they have created, it is too easy for some of them to just run away from the hell hole that they have masterfully created, I am sick and tired of them, and I mean ALL of them! Jamaica need a break from these self-serving, deceptive so-called political leaders, I am not even sure if you can give them the title of leaders, as that is something that they are incapable of doing. Now is the time to start a new new party, maybe Jamaicans abroad can start such and effort, we need new governance in Jamaica and we need it now.
Richard Edwards, New York City
betterlifeforjamaicans@yahoo.com

Alloy T
3/7/2010

With regards to the dudus case; even the blind can see that something is fishy. I have read several comments about sending him and not to send him. Have you considered the facts that dudus is not arrested, not on Jamaica's wanted list and therefore a free man. This mean he is still free to travel (well, definitely not to the USA - although they would appreciate him doing so). There are no restriction on him is this regard (as far as the government and the police force are concerned he is not wanted and entitle to the same rights as all other Jamaican. So why do we think he is still in Jamaica. What or who would be stopping him from travelling to Venezuela or Columbia or some other country. Maybe he is no longer in the country (since he knows about the request and have time to run); and this one of the reasons why Bruce is still drawing his feet - as he do not know what to tell the US.
However if he is still here, Bruce and his government need to execute the same process as they did with the others whom they send before and after duddus request. It would appear that the government is more afraid of dudus than the 'mighty' USA. But I hope Bruce realize that Jamaica is smaller, weaker, and poorer than Iraq, Columbia and Panama. US entered these countries without fear. The US has run out of patience with Bruce and has started to put pressure on him. Visa cancellation of those who can call and meet with him to address the matter with the embassy may not be a coincident. This maybe a strategy by ‘uncle sam’ to put pressure on Bruce from those within his circle. Who will he be loyal to within the circle?

Brooklyn Jamaican
3/7/2010

Mt Golding is not a serious person. They love to talk about sovereignty and all that stuff., remember that puss and dawg don't have the same luck. Also do not forget this was a country that invaded Iraq on an unfounded rumor. Ooops my bad, do not forget Manuel Noriega in Panama.

ESTEBAN AGOSTO REID
3/7/2010

How interesting ?!!

Jay Brown
3/7/2010

“There is one thing that Jamaicans love more than their country, and it’s their US visa, and America knows that,” the source said at the time.
Story cum to bump. I say cancel the visa of every politician businessman, policeman and their families who are involved in corruption.
The UK and CAD authorities should also follow suit, since Jamaica laws can't work maybe the loss of these precious visa may jolt us into action.
Let them be able to travel from parish to parish only !!!
Enough is enough, corruption has cost us as a country far too much and our leader(some corrupt) seems incapable to changing the tide.
Maybe this is the tonic that we need to bring about the change we so desperately need..

Paul Gentles
3/7/2010

Your headline"Jamaicans give US dirt on Dudus" is quite unfortunate.
This seems to subscribe to the culture "informers fi dead" the negative stereotype of people who in the interest of their country and fellow citizens do the honourable thing and report to the police any suspicious and or illegal activity seen.
Its not the person who reports convicts but the courts after due process.
Jornalists and ultimately the Editor have a responsibilty to ensure democracy is maintained and not to pander to negatives as the headline implies ensuring the country remain entrenched and gripped by fear from doing the honourable,this article,by attempting to publish peoples details in the environment which persists in Jamaica,can be seen is a clear act of intimidation for anyone else who would deem to do the same - its saying " we will inform on you..... the informant

Federick Smith
3/7/2010

AWAY WITH GARRISON POLITICE
AWAY WITH PORK BARREL POLITICE, THOSE WERE YOUR CAMPAINING WORDS.
TELL ME WHO HEAD THE GARRISON TODAY?

carlos king
3/7/2010

Well done Sunday Observer! Keep up the pressure. Thanks for batting for Jamaica. This partisan, special interest administration is playing deaf and hardball with the mighty USA and thereby putting the lives of 2.7M Jamaicans at risk of economic starvation. I just love how the US has started imposing its economic embargo against us by cancelling the visas of prominent triablist. That is very clever and it hurts them where it husts the most because the only thing these people love more than money is there American Visa. By the way, its interesting how Mr. Golding selectively takes the USA word. He took their word that Wayne Chen's visa was cancelled because of the Dudus fiasco but he is unwilling to take the US word that it has sufficient evidence to convict his resident president. Him tek wi fi fool. Well Prime Minister Golding you can fool some of the people some of the time but you can't fool all the people all of the time.
Regards,

mark francis
3/7/2010

this attorney rowe seems to be a mouth pice for the statedepartment wonder if he an is C I A frends rocognise that jamaica has a constiution that thay should rispect

Did you watch American football's Super Bowl on Sunday?
	Yes, but just for the advertisements
	Yes, just for the game itself
	Yes, for both the game and advertisements
	No, I did not watch the Super Bowl.

View Results
Results published weekly in Sunday Finance

Username:
Password: