Questionable Conduct: The Jamaican Political Reality

Below is the substance of the Warrant Of Arrest signed by Georgina Fraser, Resident Magistrate for theCorporate Area, dated May 18, 2010                                         THE EXTRADITION ACT 1991                                              WARRANT OF ARREST To all and each of the Constables of the Jamaica Constabulary Force: WHEREAS I have received from the Honourable Dorothy Lightbourne, Minister of Justice, an Authority to Proceed in the case of Christopher Michael Coke aka Michael Christopher Coke, aka Paul Christopher Scott, aka “Presi” aka “Gen- eral”, aka “President”, aka “Duddus”, aka “Shortman ” who is accused of the extradition offences of (1) Conspiracy to Distribute and to Possess with the Intent to Distribute 1,000 kilograms and more of mixtur...

Below is the substance of The  Authority To Proceed signed by Dorothy Lightbourne, Minister of Justice, dated May 18, 2010                                                      THE EXTRADITION ACT 1991                                                        AUTHORITY TO PROCEED To the Resident Magistrate for the Corporate Area WHEREAS a request has been duly made to me, Dorothy Lightbourne, Minister of Justice, on behalf of the United States of America for the surrender of fugitive Christopher Michael Coke, aka Michael Christopher Coke, aka Paul Christopher Scott, aka “Presi”, aka “General”, aka “President ”, aka “Duddus”, aka “Shortman” who is accused of the extradition offences of (1) Conspiracy to d...

No. 296 The Embassy of the United States of America presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of the Government of Jamaica and has the honor to request the extradition of Christopher Michael COKE, aka Michael Christopher Coke, Paul Christopher Scott, Duddus, President, Presi, Short Man, and Gereral. The Embassy has the further honor to submit one original certified, authenticated and three copies of documents supporting the extradition request of Christopher Michael Coke. The Embassy also requests seizure of all articles, instruments, objects of value, documents or other evidence relating to the offenses for surrender with the fugitive if extradition to the United States is granted. COKE is wanted to stand trial on narcotics charges in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. He is the subject of superseding indictment number S15 07 Cr. 917 (RPP), filed on February 19, 2009, charging him with conspiracy to distr...

Major General (Ret.), then Permanent Secretary Ministry of National Security, Stewart E. Saunders gave his assessment of the Extradition Framework: "The steps to be taken when an Extradition Request is made must be clearly and unambiguously set out and must in no way shape, or, form be subjected to the intervention of the political directorate. This process should be treated solely as a judicial process to avoid any opportunity of the said political directorate determining its commencement or conclusion. In the matter before the Commission of Enquiry, the problems that occurred or, manifested themselves, did so because the Security Forces were prevented from carrying out their functions in 2009. This was the first time in our history of effecting such requests that there was political interference of the magnitude that was evident. Jamaica would have been spared the events of May 2010 had this not been so. It is, in my opinion, grossly irresponsible and a breach of loyalty ...

The original plan completed in January 2010 envisioned the JCF role to arrest, search for evidence and execute the warrant on Dudus; whereas the JDF role at the time would be to provide a cordon to allow this to occur. However, the original focus changed. DCP Glenmore Hinds explains: "It did when the situation was no longer a law enforcement activity but a security operation, when the blockades were reinforced with explosives, when men began to fire at our assets, loot and destroy our assets. It became a situation that our law enforcement assets was just not able to respond.”      (Source; Tivoli COE, Day 30, May 26, 2015, p 48) The Operational Report Extradition of Christopher “Dudus” Coke 2010 had identified possible escape routes and counter measures: ‘The subject and other targets may attempt to evade capture by using the following routes to escape from the community: – Industrial Terrace – Spanish Town Road vicinity Tivoli Courts – Lizard Town Entrance – ...

Christopher 'Dudus' Coke  reputedly had tremendous wealth, powerful financial and commercial connections locally and internationally.The actual amount, nature, extent and location have never been made public.The proceeds of his drug running would have been strategically laundered with the assistance of shell companies strategically based in facilitating jurisdictions; business and property holdings arranged so as not to reveal the beneficial owner; and wherever possible, business conducted on a cash or barter basis. Coke had many business associates cum partners and substantial contracts with the Government of Jamaica (GOJ). The full extent of his business relationships with the GOJ has never been made public or verified. Nationwide News Network gave some indication of the number of contracts and the spread of government agencies involved: “Records from the Office of the Contractor General show that Incomparable Enterprise, a company owned and operated by Tivoli Gardens don...

The Dudus Extradition Affair (DEA) produced some memorable quotes which were repeated ad infinitum in nearly every discussion of the topic. The mass media had a field day and some of these quotes were accompanied by attempts at animation which may or may not have been part of the narrative. Below are a few which will bring back memories of those who watched the televised version: Prime Minister Bruce Golding: “ Now, I know that perhaps it is politically expedient to say, well, it’s Coke, or it could have been Mathews Lane strongman, Zeeks, or it could be any of these. I am not defending the wrongdoing of any person, but I will say this, If I have to pay a political price for it, I am going to uphold a position that the constitutional rights do not begin at Liguanea. That’s not where they start.(Applause) (Source: Hansard, Kerr 3:50 02. 03. 10) “There are applications that go to the Minister, the Minister has to examine it. The Minister cannot shut her eye and sign it, she has...