US Embassy could not accept Coke — police

BY HG HELPS Editor-at-Large

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

THE United States Embassy was not in a position to accommodate former fugitive Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, even if the Rev Merrick 'Al' Miller had succeeded in his mission to take him there, senior police officials have said.

Miller failed in his attempt to transport the alleged drug lord all the way to the Liguanea, St Andrew location, after police, acting on what they called "intelligence" intercepted his sports utility with Coke as the sole passenger, along the Mandela Highway in St Catherine last Tuesday.

Coke was taken into custody, put before a specially arranged local court two days later, and waived his right to an extradition hearing that paved the way for US authorities to take control of him.

Coke was wanted by US law enforcers to face charges related to cocaine trafficking and the smuggling of guns.

"It would have been a breach on the part of the US Embassy if they had accepted him (Coke)," said deputy superintendent of police at the national intelligence centre, Kevin Blake.

"The embassy would not have taken him, because the court had determined that a case had been made out against him," the officer said.

Acting deputy commissioner of police Glenmore Hinds, who like DSP Blake spoke with the Observer last Friday, said that it would not be in keeping with the spirit of co-operation between Jamaica and the US if Coke had been accepted.

The senior officer said that US officials would not have made the mistake of taking Coke in.

"Once a warrant has been issued, it is only the judiciary and the minister who can make a decision one way or another after that.

"Even if he goes to the embassy, they would have to call us, for us to come and get him, because there was a matter that was pending.

"If the warrant had not been served, then he could go there freely and hand himself over to US authorities, but the only way that he could go there after the warrant had been served, was to seek asylum," Hinds said.

Miller, who was later charged with one count each of harbouring a fugitive and perverting the course of justice, was granted bail in the sum of $200,000.

Eyebrows have since been raised about the ease with which Rev Miller was released on bond, with some suggesting that the allegations against him were so serious that he should have been remanded in custody.

Hinds would not comment on the decision to grant Rev Miller bail, saying "it is up to the men on the ground to decide whether or not bail is granted."

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COMMENTS (19)

fedup jcan
6/30/2010

If you read the title it says that US could not accept him. Later on Hinds says that the US could not take him in unless on the grounds of Asylum. I believe that Coke was indeed seeking Asylum. Apparently a number of persons miss this. The embassy would have to accept him on this basis. Charmin Brown Wake up. Who do you think control the police in JA. It is amazing why people don't take an objective look. Just simple ask What if? Then you will start to see that there may be more than one sides

Rowena Clarke
6/30/2010

Maybe I am missing some information but I got the impression that the reverend was acting as a mediator in this whole matter. What would Jamaicans have preferred....more bloodshed of innocent bystanders and others or a peaceful end to this saga? I believe anyone caught in this position would be scared and need someone reputable to accompany him/her to the authorities.

Errol Johnson
6/30/2010

Hello Everyone,
Apparently, from reading the various posts there are a lot of people who are not familiar with the law and ACP Hinds is totally correct.If Al Miller had handed over Mr. Coke to the U.S. Embassy,unofficially they could detain him and they would have to advise the police that he is at the Embassy.A warrant was issued for his arrest and he went on the run,therefore he became a wanted man.If he is apprehended,anyone found in his company would be charged with harbouring a fugitive.

Barry etal
6/30/2010

People, think about this one. The Jamaican government did not find it necessary to charge Dudus for any of his alleged criminal activities.How are they going to argue a case against Al Miller for harbouring a criminal? Dudus as far as I am concern, comitted more crime against the citizens of Jamaica than he has comitted against Americans. I love my country dearly, and will continue to support it in everyway that I can, however, the government of Jamaica is a big joke.

renaldo whyte
6/30/2010

how can he be the head of a transformation unit and openly defy the laws of the land? Al has shown in his public comments that he knew what he was doing is wrong... so im not sure how come people are out there still defending him... AL miller should pay for his actions and if this is allowed to pass with a slap on the wrist as we always do i dont see what kind of trnsformation process he ould be leading... he can show true trnsformation by apologizing to jamaica and accepting his punishment.

rich rich
6/30/2010

Can someone please tell me why rev al was charge and john doe wasn't?

Jacqueline Samms
6/30/2010

Pity he didn't give his victims the protection he wanted for himself. We should not forget that there are victims here too.

Stafford Perkins
6/30/2010

I say Rev Al was either being arrogant or stupid. He needs to apologize to the nation before he is sent of for a six months break at GP.
On another matter. Mr. Editor why did you deny us the opportunity to speak on the Samuda story. We have to stop protecting these politicians. I have serious issues with what he said in that report. I think the reason he was able to speak to those people is because the leader of that gang is in detention. I dont think he could speak tio them if he was out

real southy
6/30/2010

@otis grant..dont forget Kentucky Kid.. and he made a video before he was killed saying the police wanted to kill him. he was killed anyway

Jay Brown
6/30/2010

@ Otis
You know of what you speak.
For those who think Al was wrong and why he did what he did take a look at web page of johnww.wordpress.com, as I am amazed at how many people have failed to assess this situation properly and are making comments that I consider baseless.
Some are using the fact that because things ended up with him being taken into custody without being harmed is proof that if Al had taken him in, it would have been the same.
Yeah right.!!

Green D
6/30/2010

Otis, You are the first person in these posts that make sense since this Al Miller thing went down. It's like people don't have a clue. They just get caught up with what I call "foreign mind". You are absolutely correct in your statements. If I was Coke, of course I would want to be taken straight to the US, especially given the past treatment of his own father. Jamaican people on this post act like they have ever trusted the police to follow due process! Please.....

Wilfred Gray
6/30/2010

Easily,comprehended,`coke` was just concerned about, turning himself,safely! Seemingly.

john blake
6/30/2010

New discovery?

Charmin Brown
6/30/2010

The police would not kill Dudus. I am sure the order was to bring him in alive. How else would they get more info about the hire up who are involved? @Fitzroy, you are not making any sense.

otis grant
6/30/2010

everyone knows the embassy could not accept coke.What he was trying to do is involve the US governmaent so as to significantly reduce the chances of him being killed by the police.I hear people saying al miller should have turned coke over to the police & i wonder which of the fantasy worlds they live cause it couldnt be jamaica where agents of the state kill people and nothing comes of it. ask kieth clark, janice allen & michael gayle.These board must Posters live overseas or wanted coke dead.

Nicolas Henry
6/30/2010

This whole odeal just prove my points posted prior, that many jamaicans have no respect for the law, or not educated about basic laws. This supports the argument that the media should have open access with cameras in the court room. Process like such will educate the Jamaican people on the law. I doubt Al Miller thought that he was doing something wrong. The media must be allowed to video or picture supects, under arrest in handcuff. Called "PERP WALK". Will make it easier to point out supect.

Chelsea Green
6/30/2010

Have anyone stop to consider that Miller might have been the one who alerted the police that he was on his way into town with Dudus. That would make everything else a smoke screen as Dudus people would not take kindly to him two timing the Prez. Also it opens the way for Miller to collect the reward.

Maude Cooper
6/30/2010

Mr. Miller a big gibber, one would think he would have been well informed as to the criterion of the US Embassy in regards to holding one of their most wanted.

Fitzroy Whilby
6/30/2010

Is this Glenmore Hinds talking from the top of his head or is he stating a fact here? I have heard of several instances where people who thought their lives were in danger have sought and received refuge in US embassies. Why would the embassy refuse Coke and then turn him over to he Jamaican authority? He was wanted in the US and the embassy is technically US soil. If he had taken a plane into the US and they apprhend him there, they wouldnt send him back to Jamaica.

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US Embassy could not accept Coke — police