(AP)Jamaica's reluctance to hand over an alleged crime boss is straining relations
with the United States, which is questioning the Caribbean nation's reliability
as an ally against drug trafficking.
The two governments have been negotiating over Christopher "Dudus" Coke
since the U.S. requested his extradition in August to face arms and drug trafficking
charges in New York. The U.S. Justice Department calls him one of the world's
most dangerous drug kingpins.
In a report Monday, the State Department suggested corruption could be holding
up the extradition request. It noted Coke has ties to the governing Jamaica Labor
Party and essentially controls the barricaded Tivoli Gardens neighborhood in west
Kingston, the home constituency of Prime Minister Bruce Golding.
The International Narcotics Control Strategy Report said the handling of the request
has "called into question Kingston's commitment to law enforcement cooperation
with the U.S."
Golding said Tuesday that the extradition request has been held up by concerns
over how some evidence against Coke was obtained. In particular, he contended
that intercepted communications were handled in violation of Jamaican law. While
island officials raised this issue in several meetings, the U.S. has yet to present
adequate evidence, he said.
A spokeswoman for the U.S. Embassy in Kingston, Patricia Attkisson, said she could
not comment on claims regarding retaliation. She said negotiations on the extradition
request are continuing.
Embassy representatives were not available later Tuesday to discuss Golding's
characterization of the case evidence. But the State Department report charges
that Jamaica has made unfounded allegations questioning U.S. compliance with
island law.
Coke, 40, the alleged leader of the Shower Posse gang, faces federal charges in
New York City of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and marijuana and conspiracy to
illegally traffic in firearms. The charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison.
U.S. authorities allege that under Coke's leadership, Shower Posse members have
sold marijuana and crack cocaine in the New York area and elsewhere and funneled
profits back to him.