What led up to the Dudus Pandemonium?
pan'de'mo'ni'um [pan-duh-moh-nee-uhm]
1. wild uproar or unrestrained disorder; tumult or chaos.
2. a place or scene of riotous uproar or utter chaos.
AUGUST 28 2009
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 28, 2009
Erin Mulvey
Public Information Officer
212 337-2906
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Charges Jamaica-Based Drug Kingpin with Narcotics and Firearms Trafficking Crimes
AUG 28-- JOHN P. GILBRIDE, Special Agent-in-Charge of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration's New York Field Division ("DEA"), JAVIER F. PEÑA, Special Agent-in-Charge of DEA's Caribbean Division and PREET BHARARA, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that charges were unsealed against CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL COKE, a/k/a "Michael Christopher Coke," a/k/a "Paul Christopher Scott," a/k/a "Presi," a/k/a "General," a/k/a "President," a/k/a "Duddus," a/k/a "Shortman."
COKE is charged with conspiracy to distribute marijuana and cocaine and conspiracy to illegally traffic in firearms. The United States has formally requested through diplomatic channels that Jamaican authorities arrest COKE and extradite him to the Southern District of New York on the U.S. charges. According to the Superseding Indictment unsealed on Friday, August 28, 2009 in Manhattan federal court:
COKE leads an international criminal organization known as the "Shower Posse," with members in Jamaica, the United States, and other countries -- which he has led since the early 1990s. At COKE's direction and under his protection, members of his criminal organization sell marijuana and crack cocaine in the New York area and elsewhere, and send the narcotics proceeds back to COKE and his co-conspirators. COKE and his co-conspirators also arm their organization with illegally trafficked firearms. COKE has been named by the U.S. Department of Justice to the list of Consolidated Priority Organization Targets "CPOTs"), which includes the world's most dangerous narcotics kingpins.
COKE, 40, is charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and marijuana and conspiracy to illegally traffic in firearms. If convicted on the narcotics charge, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, as well as a fine of up to $4 million or twice the pecuniary gain from the offense. He also faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison on the firearms trafficking charge, and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the pecuniary gain... SOURCE: USA Drug Enforcement Administration
SEPTEMBER 1 2009
On Tuesday September 1st 2009, the Jamaica Gleaner carried the report of the US Court announcement. The Gleaner report ended with the following paragraphs:
Last night, The Gleaner was unsuccessful in its efforts to contact the attorney expected to represent Coke, Tom Tavares-Finson.
However, The Associated Press reported that Tavares-Finson dismissed the allegations as "hype" from the DEA and said his client was dumbfounded.
"He can't understand what it could possibly be," AP further quoted Tavares-Finson. "We'll wait and see. I don't know what's going to happen with the Jamaican Government."
SEPTEMBER 6 2009
On Sunday September 6th 2009, the Gleaner carried a detailed article about US extraditions of Jamaicans including Vivian Blake. Here are excerpts from that article:
Late last month, attention was turned to Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, who 'sits' in for Prime Minister Bruce Golding, who represents West Kingston in Parliament.
Dudus, son of Jim Brown, took over the reins of power in the tough enclave of Tivoli Gardens, West Kingston, after his elder brother, 'Jah T', was murdered in the People's National Party (PNP) stronghold of Maxfield Avenue, St Andrew.
Should Dudus be uprooted from his base, Sunday Gleaner source says his brother, 'Livity', is poised to take over.
He is wanted in the US for alleged narcotics and arms trafficking. Several attempts to reach Justice Minister Dorothy Lightbourne via email and telephone for an update on an extradition hearing were unsuccessful.
SEPTEMBER 8 2009
The Jamaican government is beginning to draw heat for not responding to the US extradition request. A point to note is that the USA and Jamaica signed an extradition treaty in 1991.
The Gleaner reported on Tuesday September 8 2009 that "A local intelligence official is warning that the nation is being plunged into a diplomatic nightmare, which is likely to have dire implications for the safety of the public and the economy of the country, with the apparent failure of Jamaican authorities to act on an extradition order for west Kingston strongman Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.
"This is beginning to look like a fundamental breach of international laws and protocol," the official with connections to national security told The Gleaner."
SEPTEMBER 9 2009
On Wednesday September 9th 2009, Information minister Daryl Vaz responded to questions from journalists during a post-Cabinet media briefing at Jamaica House. In response to the public's demand that the Prime Minister comment on the extradition request, Mr Vaz said:
"This matter has been put properly before the minister of justice and the attorney general's department. It is a case for them to deal with. They have it in front of them and it is being actively pursued."According to the Gleaner report on September 10th, Attorney-at-law Clyde Williams also supported the silent stance of the Jamaican Government. He said, "I think what must happen is that the provisions of the extradition law must take effect. I cannot see how the prime minister's commenting on the issue will impact on the situation."
He added: "The question of making a call for the prime minister's intervention smacks of politics. The fact of the matter is that there has been no extradition in previous times that has had any intervention or comment of a prime minister."
MARCH 2 2010
Jamaican attorney Professor David Rowe (University of Miami) warned that the Jamaica Labour Party Government may be putting the fate of the entire nation at risk because of one individual. Professor Rowe said, "The fate of one person will jeopardise the bi-lateral relationship. Jamaica wants to be a part of the international community; Jamaica does not want to be some backwater where we are subject to the whims and fancies of drug dealers."
Attorney Rowe added, "Jamaica's income comes from the overseas community and tourism. The US relationship is vital to the Jamaican economy. It is of great importance that the Government be careful about how it responds to an extradition request of that nature." SOURCE: Jamaica Observer
MARCH 16 2010
On Tuesday March 16th 2010, allegation surfaced that the office of Attorney-at-law Harold Brady had contracted a United States law firm - Manatt, Phelps & Phillips - on behalf of the Government.
Information Minister Daryl Vaz responded, "The Government has no contractual arrangement with Mr Brady, Harold Brady & Company or any other private law firm in relation to the current extradition matter."
That statement was exposed as a lie by documents submitted to the US Department of Justice which stated that Manatt, Phelps and Phillips was acting on behalf of: "The government of Jamaica through Harold C.W. Brady".
An original document from the law firm of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips stated "The undersigned, Harold Brady, consultant to the Government of Jamaica, hereby confirms that he is authorised on behalf of the government of Jamaica to approve of the engagement of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips as set forth in this letter."
SOURCE: Jamaica Observer
It is believed that the US law firm is to be paid US$100,000 (approx. J$9,000,000) per quarter for its services. (It should be noted that these services cover a wide range of legal and business matters.)
SUBSEQUENT DAYS WEEKS
Needless to say, a firestorm erupted over the view that the Jamaican Government engaged a US law firm to lobby the US Department of Justice to drop the extradition request for reputed crime boss Christopher "Dudus" Coke.
MAY 11 2010
PRIME Minister Bruce Golding, addressing the Parliament on Tuesday, admitted that he sanctioned the engagement of US law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips to lobby the United States Government to drop its extradition request for Christopher 'Dudus' Coke to face drug- and gun-running charges there. Here is the full text of the prime minister's speech.
"I wish to address the House on two related matters that have generated much public discussion and controversy. The one has to do with the request by the US government for the extradition of Christopher Coke, the other with the engagement of the US law firm of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips.
The Extradition Treaty between Jamaica and the US specifies the type of information that must be provided in support of a request for extradition. Article IX(1) states that if the Minister considers that the information furnished is not sufficient to fulfil the requirements of the Treaty, she shall notify the US authorities in order to enable them to furnish additional information before the request is submitted to the Jamaican Courts for extradition hearings to proceed.
The Government maintains that the information presented in support of this particular request is unacceptable because it has been used in violation of Jamaican law and in contravention of the expressed order of a Judge of the Supreme Court. For the Minister to ignore this violation and issue the authorisation to proceed would be to condone and legitimise this violation and would be a dereliction of duty.
From as far back as September of last year, the Government wrote formally to the US authorities requesting them to provide additional or separate information that would enable the Minister to fulfil the request. We assured the US authorities that once this is done, the Minister will sign the authorisation to proceed.
The US has steadfastly refused to do so, contending that the information already submitted was presented in accordance with existing bilateral agreements between both countries as allowed under section 16(9) of the Interception of Communications Act... Continue
MAY 16 2010
In response to mounting calls for the Prime Minister to resign over his handling of the Manatt, Phelps & Phillips affair, the ruling Jamaica Labor Party stated that there was no reason for Bruce Golding to resign.
MAY 17 2010
Jamaican Prime Minister addressed the nation on Monday night to apologize for his handling of the Manatt affair. He also promised that the justice minister, Dorothy Lightbourne, would sign the extradition request despite claims by his administration that the United States breached the rules of engagement.
In his speech Mr Golding said, "I am aware that trust can only be restored by forgiveness and atonement. That will take time, and I am committing myself to do everything that is humanly possible to repair the damage that has been done to that trust. In return, I ask for your forgiveness."
MAY 18 2010
As word spread that the extradition request was signed business owners started closing their stores/offices in downtown Kingston.
According to a Gleaner report on Tuesday May 18th:
From as early as 3 p.m., stores, started closing their doors and streetside vendors started packing up their goods, fear clearly etched on their faces.
"A hurricane is coming! A hurricane is coming!" shouted one man as he helped to spread the panic.
Terrified shoppers and employees of the many businesses rushed into any bus or taxi they could find, with persons creating bus stops where none existed.
MAY 19 2010
The Jamaica Gleaner carried the following news report on Wednesday May 19th 2010:
Attorney General Dorothy Lightbourne has finally affixed her signature to the extradition order against Tivoli Gardens strongman Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, and Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn yesterday secured the required arrest warrant.
At the same time, Lightbourne's Senate colleague, Tom Tavares-Finson, has withdrawn as Coke's lawyer.
A government source told The Gleaner that the signed order was dispatched to Llewellyn who immediately secured the warrant for Coke's arrest from the court.
Lightbourne signed the extradition order nine months after it was placed on her desk.
As word spread that the order had been signed, residents of Tivoli Gardens mounted even more blockades at the entrances to their community as they kept watch on the area... Continue
The United States Department of Justice expressed its satisfaction with the Government's decision to sign the extradition request for alleged drug dealer Christopher 'Dudus' Coke. Laura E. Sweeney of the Office of Public Affairs of the US Department of Justice spoke with The Gleaner on Tuesday about the recent development.
MAY 20 2010
"THE JAMAICA Defence Force (JDF) has called out the National Reserve after thugs in west Kingston yesterday underscored their stated intention to defend the 'President' when they opened fire on a team of soldiers attempting to enter Denham Town..." Continue