Hurricane Dean ushered Bruce Golding and the JLP into government in September 2007. Tropical Storm Gustav commemorated their first year in office. So far, knock on wood, the 2009 hurricane season has been particularly quiet.
Then, just as things seemed to be winding down to the usual end of summer back-to-school, money-have-to-spend and government-and teachers-must-quarrel, the U.S. authorities are treating us to a whirlwind of scandal, gossip and gambling by requesting that the JLP government of Bruce Golding render up JLP and Tivoli Gardens strongman, Christopher “Dudus” Coke unto the U.S. justice system, well known for eating up Jamaica’s bad men and spitting them out again five or ten years later, no harm done.
Christopher “Dudus”Coke and his Plantation Heights yard
So how good a story is the requested extradition of “Dudus” ? Let’s see how it breaks down:-
(1) “Dudus” father, Lester Lloyd Coke aka “Jim Brown” died in a fire in his cell on February 23, 1991. He was due to be removed to the U.S. to face trial the following day. Among those who remember “Jim Brown”, everyone has their favourite theory as to who ordered the death of “Jim Brown” – e.g. some say he committed suicide; some say Seaga ordered his death to conceal his ties to the JLP; some say he was killed by his cronies who had no doubt that he would sing like a bird once he was in a U.S. prison.
So, can “Dudus” even survive to face trial in the U.S. ? And if he is to die, who gives the order this time ? Someone in Columbia ? Someone in the U.S. ? Someone in the upper echelons of the present government ?
(2) The history of the extradition treaty between Jamaica and the U.S. since 1991 is basically about JLP dons and a PNP government. Will things be different now that “Dudus’” M.P. and the M.P. for West Kingston is Bruce Golding, the Prime Minister of Jamaica?
(3) Why is “Dudus” Coke’s lawyer, JLP Senator Tom Tavares-Finson, sounding hesitant and unsure of his ground when discussing the matter with the pro-government team at Nationwide radio ?
Where is the brash, arrogant, take-no-prisoners Tom Tavares- Finson that we have come to know (if not to love )?
Can the JLP Senator be worrying that his client’s case is all too similar to that of Norris “Deedo” Nembhard (designated a drug kingpin by George Bush, Nembhard was extradited to the U.S. in 2008, and subsequently convicted on various charges) ? Is he worried that “Dudus” will suffer the same fate as Leebert Ramcharan ?
Senator Tom Tavares-Finson
(4) Many, many times over the years we have heard that Jamaican criminals in U.S. prisons were going to sing like birds. Remember when Vivian Blake was going to ensure that dozens of Jamaican politicians and “well known businessmen” were discredited, arrested, extradited to the U.S.? Going to rot forever in an American jail ?
Instead, a mere 9 years after he received 28 years in prison, Vivian Blake is back home in Jamaica .
(5) “Dudus” has supposedly got cover from “his” government. Under the PNP, this kind of “harassment” was par for the course. Nowadays, “Dudus” is a respectable businessman who is rewarded for his loyalty in the usual manner: a few government contracts here and there.
So, what will his “coverage” be worth ? Can Prime Minister Golding really hide “Dudus” from the U.S. authorities behind his government’s skirts ?
(6) The unofficial bookmakers are taking very big bets.
What are the odds on Christopher “Dudus” Coke being extradited alive to the U.S. ? 10 to 1 ? Or more like 100 to 1 ?
What are the odds on his extradition being delayed by the Senator? For one year ? For at least four years ?
So, what’s your take on this ? Where are you putting your money ?
hmmmm how much PNP dons have been extradited ?
I’m not sure (not being an expert on dons…..). Seems to me that none of the dons extradited were accused of being affiliated with the PNP. Of course, under the management of our sword and Shields, one PNP don, Matthews Lane area leader, “Zekes”, was convicted and is still in prison here. However, Zekes was rumoured to have pissed off the PNP hierarchy and was carefully discredited with his supporters and henchmen before they moved against him…..
the US government has to request extradition, not the Jamaican government of the day…so it is obvious that PNP dons are small fry relative to JLP kingpins!
Dudus, Mr president, bossie, the dads, the don dadda, the dapper, has only two choices, be extradited or die.
kil every jamaican b4 get to dudus
lol Guest it is not that the dons of the PNP are small fries but that they killed them. Don’t you know about Bulby the Clansman Don he was killed. Zeeks send himself to prison by doing what Jamaicans are against. So you see maybe the PNP is smarter than the JLP. There dons are killed in shot out on a daily basis. lol
ALL CRAP, HAVE THEY REALLY GOT ANY THING ON HIM OR IS IT JUST TALK FROM WHAT I HEAR HE KEEPS THE PEACE IN HIS AREA AND KEEPS THE PEOPLE IN TACT FROM WHAT I KNOW HE IS A QUIET YOUTH, EARN AND DEMAND RESPECT.
why the us don”t go and look for binladen and leave other country to handle their own matter in kingston jamaica people look up to this man this man keep the peace. they need to leave the man alone.
guilty as charge
the history is his curse
if the charges are validated, then go do the time. Bring the evidence and charges and allow the court proceeding to carryout. Speak not, unless you know and have the facts…
Next on the extradition block are the Entire Jamaican politicians from Seaga right back to present day.
My take on this dudus saga is; yes he keeps the peace,he feeds some of the people but at what cost to the people, if he is guilty he should do his time,he should have ensure from the get go that when push comes to shove nobody can’t call his name,
Yow mi Daaadddiiiii! Look like di Boss might be cornered. Di boss fi now seh history repeats itself. Dis yah issue biggah dan the Don Dudus. He will be replaced. Its simple as dat. His name rings bells and attracts to much attention, in this case, the wrong kind. Boss, just run weh yu hear dat. Leff wid di cash weh yu have, lef di fame and power behind. Dust to Dust.
The longer this drags on the more hype will surround this extradition.
It is the failure of the Jamaican justice system that has allowed Dudus to be free so long to kill, maime, rape, rod and extort so many.
He should have been tried in Jamaica and sent to prison for life a long time ago.
leave the big man lone shw 4life
Why is the US so worried about extraditing this man?? I agree that they need to stop worrying about Dudus and worry more about taking care of this war that they are in, in Iraq. Being an American that has first hand witness to the struggle of people that live in the Garrison’s in Kingston, whether I agree with the choices that he made, I understand his need to take care of his community and to do whatever it takes to help them survive.
i want to know if all coke will lose their visa, the americans are very revengeful so i cant put anything pass them, hope it wont be like that because that would be another war against us.
Extradite him! Extradite Him, Bruce Golding, Daryl Vaz, Edward Seaga, all these labourwrongs.. they are all involved in corrupt practices. Dudus is a criminal.
Extradite the entire Jamaica Labour Party , this will let Jamaica be a better place.
Excuse me….I am American..and we are looking for Bin Laden…have you turned on the news lately? Do you not hear about the war on terror, the US occupying the middle east? Why do you think we are in Afghan or Iraq? If this guy did the crime, he is g0ing to pay for it..one way or another…He is no better than our own criminals…so he seeks asylum at home in Jamaica…I hope Ja does hand him over..I would hate to see the outcome of this, if the US wants him that bad…
I am a US soldier…and we are peacekeepers to the world…we are a world power..that is what we do…a lot of countries do not agree…but everytime there is a crisis..they are calling for the WEST to come and help them…and we do.
From Haiti to Mogadishu to Somalia and points farther…..we do..and we loose American lives doing it.
Jamaica is one of the most corrupt countries in the western hemisphere and a lot of us are in denial as to the extent of the corruption that exists. Frankly, that is because we are all hopeful that it can’t be that bad and some are blinded by the benefits that derived from it directly or in directly. In the era of the posses, people would keep their mouth quiet about their relative’s involvement in drugs and other wrong doing because they or their relatives could drive the trash out, skirt down Nissan Maximas and “paloff” with their two ton gold chains. This corruption is deep and runs in both parties. Nothing of significance gets done in Jamaica unless the “right people” receive their share and gives their approval. For instance, it is a well known fact that Dudus controls Kingston wharf and determines what goes in or out of it. He also has his own port in Tivoli so one can use a little bit of imagination to see what is possible with that much control. His business enterprise is not just in guns and drugs but he does have some legit ones as well.
I learned that the last time “they” tested his control in the country, in one weekend he issued orders to his cronies and they killed 9 people in a totally detached area of Jamaica, I think it was in Clarendon. The guy’s influence stretches far and wide and no political or security leader has the type of control that he has.
Unfortunately like many have said, giving up Dudus will be giving up a lot of current politicians most of which are JLP including Bruce Golding but there are quite a few in the PNP as well. The exposure at a very high level could have negative repercussions on the everyday operations of the country because many present political and business people have ties to Dudus’ operations. Even after Dudus is gone the crime and corruption will continue because it is an entrenched part of the Jamaican reality. The easy access to guns is one driving factor.
dudus must go
THIS HOLD THING GO DEEPER THAN WE ALL THINKS, THE U.S. NEED TO CLEAN UP THEIR YARD BEFORE GOING TO OTHER COUNTRIES.
MANY JAMAICANS IN THE U.S. DON’T HAVE THE FAC SURROUNDING THIS THING. THE JA GOVERMENT IS HOLDING OUT NOT FOR THIS MANS OWN GOOD BUT THEY’RE TRYING TO SAVE THERE OWN BUTTS. WITH AL SAID AND DONE THIS MAN SHOULD BE TRYED IN JA NOT THE U.S.
all di ppl dem weh a seh fi leff dudus hope dem
deh a yaad fi tap di bullit dem weh dudus bring guh dung deh . cos di gunz dem weh dudus have dung deh a guh murda nuff a dem same big mout niggaz
I am of the strong view that dudus should not be extradited. What will happen to the people of down town and the whole Ja,maica at large
alldehype i agee with every word published. I have lived in Tivoli from massop days and the god-like power these men yield is unbelievable, but i do know this, they will not give up dudus, before they do that a hit will commence. there is too much at stake for the politicians, someone said the people..come on do they really care.
fact is this man rape nuff girls in tivoli. as the story is told it is said that dudus would often demand his goones to go and get any girl he would point out and demanded sexual pleasure or face uncertain consequences
dudus a murder a everyone in a TIVOLI know that but because dem dung dey a live and eat free, dem a defen him. The amount a gun i see at him birthnight party last week, mi think say a up park camp mi dey mi fren mi go with say dont worry down here safer than white house, but them man with all dem guns are not police soldier or licence fire arm holders and a dat prime minister and supporters of dudus is defending DUDUS MUST BE EXTRADIATED AND EXECUTED TO SEND A SINGNAL TO UPCOMING DONS THAT ON ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW AND TIVOLI JUSTICE DONT WORK. Next thing how the GOVERNMENT AND DANVILLE WALKER AND WHO EVER RESPONSIBLE allow a berth to be housed over TIVOLI, no wonder dudus have so much guns over there. And Is time SEAGA come forward and tell the people OF THIS COUNTRY that JIM BROWN IS STILL ALIVE.
dudus a d big boss an dem nah go ketch him not even in a million years
This sound like to me the Gideon start; because if dem let him go warr a go come pon the poor and innocent people of Jamaica. One thing the people them if know along time America and Jamaica are @ adds.
dudus a fool so di people dem fi easy dem self and stop back foolishnish dem have money and look how much people a suffer a jamaica dem coulda invest
Justice will prevail…..No one is above the law in USA….
Above the law only applies in coutries like JAMRACK!!!!!!
If all these ascertions are true, dudus is just a recipient of a legacy he was born in. What else would he know? He was born in a system and when he goes his son or another male relative will continue. Its entrenched in our culture and system. Solution – only devine intervention. Extradition or death will only provide the opportunity for another waiting in the wings.The cycle goes on.
God fearing, I think you have hit the nail on the head……
God fearing is absolutely rite…only one have the power to break this cycle and bring death to it and who he is no man can ever overcome…All will get what is rightfully theirs. I strongly believe you Reap what you Sow whether good or bad so everything is cool…merica nuh fi worry dem selvz and JA fi cool dem self cuz everything will smooth out in due time!
so wat some live some die
jamaican people put up with too much slackness and too, licky licky. dudus do the crime so he must be hang he is a wicked man.
free up the country extradite him .dont forget to take bruce too,vaz,audley tired a the fucker them them forget seh we fight fi get out a slavery them bettter pray seh nigga no rise .America is the BOSS them calll we answer
Big up dudus a him make me CA ware my blink a town
Mi a from white horses St Thomas mi no j.l.p but don’t fuck with dudus the man keep the peace
The relationship between notorious criminals and politicians in Jamaica is deeply rooted in the every day function or rather disfunction of the country. Long before Dudus, there were: Massop, Bucky Marshal, George Flash, Tony Brown, Jim Brown, the list goes on. Both political parties are guilty of destroying the country. Over 1500 people die annualy at he hands of criminals. I sincerely hope the US government will put some of these pathetic Jamaican politician behind bars for crime against humanity.
We should let the law prevail ,it is the law that guides us as nations living in this world, therefore before we begin to pass judgement let us leave the decisions to those who can make them.Dons are complicated issue in any country they are known to exist in France, Italy,Germany,China ,Russia,USA, personally i believe that if he is a major drug and ammunition player and there is strong evidence then he should go,if there is no evidence or a little sign then he should not go .people sometimes get carried away because of ego …watching american gangater i saw where J .Edgar Hoover of the FBI image as a good lawman being erased because he obssesed with Martin Luther King….and used his influence to taint the idea of a Mr King so let time and the law do its course….
I am a jamerican and me never know nutten bout dudus till bout three days ago.. the citizens/friends told me that dis man keep di peace n him mek war happen but him promote peace mostly. Dem say him free right now n nobody can’t touch him or di shower possey a cum a ja n shower everybody wah him want dead. Him anno di first n him nah go b di last so mi seh fi low him. Him keep peace fi di most part so dem fi low him or people ago dead
IT IS A CRYING SHAME THAT OUR BEAUTIFUL LITTLE ISLAND IS BEING HELD HOSTAGE BY MURDERS AND CRIMINALS. I RECALL THE DAYS OF PEACE AND TRANQUILITY IN MY ISLAND HOME, BUT NOW I AM SCARED TO GO HOME BECAUSE OF ALL THE CRIME. IT’S TIME THAT THE GOVERNMENT DENOUNCE CORRUPTION AND IMPLEMENT THE LAW TO OUTLAW LAWLESSNESS. IF THE HEADS OF GOVERNMENT THEN AND NOW HAD STAMPED OUT CRIME, WE WOULD NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM NOW. JAMAICA IS A POOR COUNTRY WITH LIMITLESS POTENTIALS TO BECOME GREAT. UNFORTUNATELY, CORRUPT LEADERS HAVE TAKEN OUR COUNTRY DOWN THE PATH OF DESTRUCTION. HOW MANY DUDUSES ARE WE WILLING TO NURTURE AT THE EXPENSE OF LAW ADIDING CITIZENS? LEADERS IN JAMAICA STAND UP FOR THE RIGHT AND TAKE OUR COUNTRY BACK FROM THESE CRIMINALS. I AM TIRED, I WANT TO COME HOME, BUT I’M SCARED TO DEATH. MY HEART IS ACHING FOR MY ISLAND HOME AS A LOT OF US ABROAD ARE. HELP! HELP! HELP!
DISTRAUGHT
leave the man alone, he has not done nothing
america got too much ego.. jamaicans r much more powerful people…whether its with music sports even with crime unfortunately …americans feel threatened by little us so there gonna make us their buisness …but the fact of the matter is shower posse work those streets up in the u.s real bloody… so dudus must kno he would get pinched sooner or later….seems 2 me its a family curse and history just simply repeating itself.. we have extreemly intelligent and talented people but another fact is we also have the dumest black nation on earth but…..dem smart….disagree?..den explain the murder rate the high interest rate etc?… its time the people wake up and realise that its the people that make the country not politicians and dons…we should start making use of our resources and get into production….so whoever wants to throw on dem orange or green and behave like wild animals while politians take you in circles thats your loss wasting time…but you jamaicans already…LOVE EXITEMENT!!
…………….
history will repeat itself….Dudus is NOT going to the US…for all we know, he’s in Hawaii sipping on a colada….
@waiting
Hawaii is the US you know lol.