Peter Parka
Well-Known Member
Been coming to a head for quite some time, the gang situation has been terrible. Can see a lot of bloodshed but hopefully this can be the start of a real way of sorting things out there.
Jamaica police storm stronghold of alleged drugs lord
Page last updated at 21:36 GMT, Monday, 24 May 2010 22:36 UK
Kingston unrest: The BBC's Matthew Price reports from the city's streets
Jamaican security forces have launched an assault in Kingston on the stronghold of alleged drugs lord Christopher "Dudus" Coke.
Heavy gunfire erupted as they moved in to the Tivoli Gardens district and a number of casualties have been reported.
Supporters of Mr Coke are fighting to stop his extradition to the US on drug and gun running charges.
Two officers have been killed in the unrest and six others wounded.
There are reports of bodies lying in the streets in the latest operation, the BBC's Nick Davis in Kingston says.
The Jamaican Observer reported that at least two soldiers had been shot, one in the chest, and had been taken to hospital.
There are also reports of violence in other parts of Kingston, raising fears that the unrest is spreading.
A state of emergency was declared in parts of Kingston on Friday after several police stations were attacked.
Huge support Our correspondent says the operation started shortly before midday, and large numbers of soldiers were seen heading to the poor Tivoli Gardens in west Kingston.
Plumes of smoke could be seen coming from the area as police helicopters buzzed overhead.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/latin_america/10151223.stm
Security Minister Dwight Nelson said the soldiers, in a joint operation with police, had broken down the barricades around Tivoli Gardens and were doing a house-to-house search for Mr Coke.
"The purpose of the operation is to execute the warrant for extradition and to detain [Coke] so he can appear in court," he told the BBC.
He insisted the police were "doing everything in their power to ensure the city remains safe".
But some reports said police had met heavy resistance from armed gunmen as they tried to enter Tivoli Gardens.
Residents in the area have been advised to remain indoors.
But one resident said on local radio: "Somebody please come help we, somebody please come help we."
She said a girl had been killed and witnesses have reported an unspecified number of casualties, the AFP news agency reports.
Tivoli Gardens is a stronghold of support for 41-year-old Mr Coke - who says he is a community leader - and is represented in parliament by Prime Minister Bruce Golding.
Mr Coke's supporters see him as a man who is fulfilling a role that the government does not, such as giving them money to support their children.
They have staged protests and barricaded streets to stop his arrest and extradition.
Jamaican PM: 'The threat will be repelled with decisive action'
But the US Justice Department says Mr Coke is one of the world's most dangerous drug barons. He is accused of leading a gang called the Shower Posse - owing to the volume of bullets used in shootings - and operating an international smuggling network.
He faces a life sentence if convicted on charges filed against him in New York.
The gang has also been blamed for numerous murders in Jamaica and the US.
The trouble started last week when Mr Golding said he was prepared to send Mr Coke to the US on drugs and weapons trafficking charges.
The decision reversed nine months of opposition to his extradition.
Mr Golding had argued that the evidence against Mr Coke was obtained illegally by intercepting mobile telephone calls.
But he changed his mind in the face of growing public discontent, and questions about his possible ties to Mr Coke.
He has denounced the unrest as a "calculated assault on the authority of the state that cannot be tolerated".
BBC
Jamaica police storm stronghold of alleged drugs lord
Page last updated at 21:36 GMT, Monday, 24 May 2010 22:36 UK
Kingston unrest: The BBC's Matthew Price reports from the city's streets
Jamaican security forces have launched an assault in Kingston on the stronghold of alleged drugs lord Christopher "Dudus" Coke.
Heavy gunfire erupted as they moved in to the Tivoli Gardens district and a number of casualties have been reported.
Supporters of Mr Coke are fighting to stop his extradition to the US on drug and gun running charges.
Two officers have been killed in the unrest and six others wounded.
There are reports of bodies lying in the streets in the latest operation, the BBC's Nick Davis in Kingston says.
The Jamaican Observer reported that at least two soldiers had been shot, one in the chest, and had been taken to hospital.
There are also reports of violence in other parts of Kingston, raising fears that the unrest is spreading.
A state of emergency was declared in parts of Kingston on Friday after several police stations were attacked.
Huge support Our correspondent says the operation started shortly before midday, and large numbers of soldiers were seen heading to the poor Tivoli Gardens in west Kingston.
Plumes of smoke could be seen coming from the area as police helicopters buzzed overhead.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/latin_america/10151223.stm Security Minister Dwight Nelson said the soldiers, in a joint operation with police, had broken down the barricades around Tivoli Gardens and were doing a house-to-house search for Mr Coke.
"The purpose of the operation is to execute the warrant for extradition and to detain [Coke] so he can appear in court," he told the BBC.
He insisted the police were "doing everything in their power to ensure the city remains safe".
But some reports said police had met heavy resistance from armed gunmen as they tried to enter Tivoli Gardens.
Residents in the area have been advised to remain indoors.
But one resident said on local radio: "Somebody please come help we, somebody please come help we."
She said a girl had been killed and witnesses have reported an unspecified number of casualties, the AFP news agency reports.
Tivoli Gardens is a stronghold of support for 41-year-old Mr Coke - who says he is a community leader - and is represented in parliament by Prime Minister Bruce Golding.
Mr Coke's supporters see him as a man who is fulfilling a role that the government does not, such as giving them money to support their children.
They have staged protests and barricaded streets to stop his arrest and extradition.
Jamaican PM: 'The threat will be repelled with decisive action'
But the US Justice Department says Mr Coke is one of the world's most dangerous drug barons. He is accused of leading a gang called the Shower Posse - owing to the volume of bullets used in shootings - and operating an international smuggling network.
He faces a life sentence if convicted on charges filed against him in New York.
The gang has also been blamed for numerous murders in Jamaica and the US.
The trouble started last week when Mr Golding said he was prepared to send Mr Coke to the US on drugs and weapons trafficking charges.
The decision reversed nine months of opposition to his extradition.
Mr Golding had argued that the evidence against Mr Coke was obtained illegally by intercepting mobile telephone calls.
But he changed his mind in the face of growing public discontent, and questions about his possible ties to Mr Coke.
He has denounced the unrest as a "calculated assault on the authority of the state that cannot be tolerated".
BBC
