NEW YORK — Jamaican gang leader Christopher “Dudus” Coke pleaded not guilty Friday to U.S. charges that he ran a massive drug ring in the Eastern U.S. from his Caribbean stronghold.
The 42-year-old boss of the Shower Posse gang was sent to New York on Thursday under tight security after waiving extradition. His case had sparked street violence in Kingston that left more than 70 dead.
He entered the plea at an appearance in Manhattan federal court and faces a maximum sentence of life in prison in the United States if convicted.
In court papers, New York prosecutors said Coke conspired to distribute cocaine and marijuana throughout the eastern United States for more than 15 years. Drug dealers in the U.S. regularly sent “cash and goods, including clothing and electronics, to Coke as ‘tribute’ payments, in recognition of his leadership and assistance,” the papers said. The tribute payments also included firearms, the papers add
Coke was captured in Jamaica on Tuesday, but not without a fight: After Jamaica’s 
prime minister announced he would agree to a U.S. request that the leader of the notorious Shower Posse gang be extradited, his armed supporters and government security forces clashed in the streets of the Tivoli Garden slums for four days, leaving 76 people dead. Coke’s main force was supplemented by gang leaders from Haiti who fled to Jamaica in order to avoid arrest by UN forces in Haiti. These gang leaders are loyal to President Rene Preval and will be called back to Haiti before the proposed elections to create instability and chaos.
On Wednesday, Coke agreed to waive extradition. He said he was saddened by the deaths and hoped his departure would help his country heal.
“I take this decision for I now believe it to be in the best interest of my family, the community of western Kingston and in particular the people of Tivoli Gardens and above all Jamaica,” Coke said in a statement released to the news media, his first public comments since the extradition request in August.
The U.S. indictment alleges that, since 1994, members of Coke’s gang in Jamaica and their U.S. counterparts “have sold narcotics, including marijuana and crack cocaine, at Coke’s direction.” It says that cooperators have recorded phone conversations with Coke about shipments of drugs and handguns.
At his extradition hearing at a military outpost in Kingston, the Caribbean nation’s capital, Coke expressed confidence that he will be found innocent and allowed to return to his family in Jamaica.
Perhaps we will learn more about President Preval’s involvement with the recent Jamaican violence and the drug/gun trade between Haiti and Jamaica.
For more information on his links to Haiti, and Preval, see www.haitian-truth.org/u-s-report-jamaican-prime-minister-is-known-criminal-affiliate-of-hunted-drug-lord/
I think by now, it is wise to follow how the justice system of USA apprehends the reality of facts in this special case.Everyone knows who are involved in and what kind of organized groups are implicated in. Maybe, somehow, the truth will follow its path, but, not for sure, because, Haiti is another site where the film is not finished yet. For some reason, all eyes could be closed a while for many years again. Because, Dog has four feet, but can not run in four roads at the same time. We need to be patients. If the justice system of the US acts differently, the current feast in Haiti will be in bad motion.
Let the Haitians gangs in peace for now. Timing is a perfect key to solve problems definitely.Shut mouths and wait to see.
Even this gay is presume suspect and innocent until the justice system of the US states otherwise.Nobody can not say who is responsible at any level. The gay must understand that it is very important that he cooperate to bring the light where it is required for the best interest of his citizens in Jamaica.He is not Haitian nor American. He must understand that in any manner,it is not a good thing for him to do not talk to his judge and his lawyers and let them know the truth.
Even this gay is presume suspect and innocent until the justice system of the US states otherwise.Nobody can not say who is responsible at any level. The gay must understand that it is very important that he has to cooperate to bring the light where it is required for the best interest of his citizens in Jamaica.He is not Haitian nor American. He must understand that in any manner,it is not a good thing for him to do not talk to his judge and his lawyers and let them know the truth.
Even this gay is presumed suspect and innocent until the justice system of the US states and proves otherwise.Nobody can not say who is responsible at any level. The gay must understand that it is very important that he has to cooperate to bring the light where it is required for the best interest of his citizens in Jamaica.He is not Haitian nor American. He must understand that in any manner,it is not a good thing for him to do not talk to his judge and his lawyers and let them know the truth.
The American system knows of the Preval crimes, but does nothing.
Bill Clinton knows of the Preval crimes, but is Preval’s partner.
Hillary Clinton knows of Preval’s crimes, but sends her close deputy Cheryl Mills to participate in the new crimes.
I am not of optimism.