Dudus believed to have changed appearance, bombs found in Tivoli

(Jamaica Observer) police have issued a new photograph of Tivoli Gardens strongman Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke, who is wanted for extradition to the United States on drug and gun trafficking charges.

The photograph was found on the floor of his Presidential Click office in Tivoli Gardens, West Kingston, following the assault by security forces on the community, which began on Sunday.

“It is being strongly suggested that he has since shaved his head and face,” said a statement issued today.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) yesterday named Coke and his brother Leighton, also called Livety, among 13 alleged gang leaders who they are asking to turn themselves in.

Hours before dawn yesterday, police went to a premises in the upscale community of Kirkland Heights in upper St Andrew after they gained intelligence that Coke was hiding out there.

The cops did not get Coke, but instead fatally shot Keith Clarke, the brother of former People’s National Party member of Parliament Claude Clarke. Four Jamaica Defence Force soldiers were injured.

The Bureau of Special Investigations is probing the incident.

The police have also asked Arnett Gardens area leader George Phang to turn himself him.

The police also said they wanted Donovan Ainsworth, otherwise called ‘Pepsi’, and Delano Walker, also called ‘Fidel’ of the Central Kingston community known as ‘Tel Aviv’; Anthony Harding, also called ‘Prince Pow’ of the POW Crew; Earl Brown, also called ‘Chun’ of Top Road; Jermaine Layne, also called ‘Cutter’ of Bryden Street; Everton Douglas, also called ‘Fuba’, and Troy Ricketts, also called ‘Okra’, of Jacques Road; Michael Ewan, also called ‘Mikey One Two’, of Goodwich Lane; Michael Murray, also called ‘Bizzy’, and Andrew Salmon, also called ‘Alcapone’, of Hypolite Road in Rockfort, East Kingston.

Yesterday, 11 wanted men turned themselves in to the police after they were named among 23 most wanted persons. A police source at the St Andrew North Police Division said members of the Common gang appeared shaky when they turned up at the Constant Spring Police Station.

Of that number, 12 most wanted men remain at large.

Meanwhile, security forces have distributed photographs of what they say are explosive devices found in Tivoli Gardens following their assault on the community, which began Sunday.

So far 73 people have been confirmed dead in the operation with residents accusing security forces of atrocities, including the use of ‘bombs’. The media was allowed limited access inside the community, insufficient to corroborate such claims.

“The explosives have been disabled by Jamaica Defence Force’s Engineer Regiment and secured as evidence of the  atrocities created against members of the security forces,” said a statement from police today.

Christopher `Dudus' Coke
Christopher `Dudus' Coke