KINGSTON, Jamaica – Michael Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke, today (June 24), waived his right for an extradition trial in Jamaica and was extradited to the United States early this afternoon.
The former Tivoli Gardens resident, who is wanted by the American Authorities on alleged drug and gun running charges, attended an extradition hearing before a Resident Magistrate, at the Mobile Reserve at Harman Barracks, where he waived his right.
At the hearing, which began approximately 9:50 a.m. and lasted for about 15 minutes, Mr. Coke signed documents surrendering his right to be tried before the Jamaican Courts.
In a statement issued by his attorneys, Tom Tavares-Finson and George Soutar, he expressed his intention to waive his right to an extradition hearing in Jamaica and to proceed directly to the United States under the terms of the Extradition Laws and Treaty between Jamaica and the US.
“I have taken this decision of my own free will and have done so, even though I am of the belief that my case would have been successfully argued in the Courts of Jamaica,” the statement read.
It continued: “I take this decision, for I now believe it to be in the best interest of my family, the community of West Kingston and in particular, the people of Tivoli Gardens and above all Jamaica.”
Mr. Coke also said he was deeply upset and saddened for the many Jamaicans, including members of the security forces who lost their lives, saying all this could have been avoided. He also begged Jamaicans to pray for him.
Resident Magistrate (RM), Georgianna Fraser, who presided over the hearing, read the order, which outlined that Mr. Coke would be taken to a security facility called Red Fence, at Up Park Camp, where he was held until he was flown out of the island.
Following the hearing, Mr. Tavares-Finson spoke on behalf of his client, who asked him to express his gratitude to members of the security forces for the professional and fair manner in which he had been treated.
