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When news broke yesterday afternoon that Christopher Coke was arrested most Jamaicans did not believe. It took a while before local news agencies ran the story because they thought it was a rumor. It is believed that the most trusted name in news CNN was the first to publish the story after which the local media trusted its sources. (This is before the camera crews got involved) It was true – police had received intelligence that the drug lord the ‘President’ of Tivoli Gardens would be on his way back into Kingston. He was found on the Mandela Highway in the presence of Rev Al Miller.

Christopher Dudus Coke found on Mandela Highway

Courtesy of OGNR - Christopher Coke without the wig

Rev Al Miller

The most interesting piece of development is that he was found with Rev Al Miller – leader of a popular church in Kingston, Jamaica. As the nation’s politicians debated in parliament to extend the state of emergency to other parishes with known political gangs Rev Al Miller was transporting Christopher Coke to a predetermined location, the US Embassy. The US Embassy opens earlier than 7am and closes in the early afternoon. It is very skeptical whether Rev Al Miller was taking Coke to the US Embassy at 4pm. Based on the intelligence the police was acting on wouldn’t the police have credible information if Coke wanted to be with US authorities? Where did Rev Miller pick up Coke? Did Rev Al Miller know of Coke’s location prior to their meeting?

I was in Half Way Tree in Kingston weeks ago and saw Rev Al Miller in a parking lot of a very popular mall speaking animatedly on his cellphone. Later that evening Rev Al Miller had turned in Coke’s brother after he was published as a person of interest in the media. Days later Rev Al Miller accompanied Coke’s sister to the police force for questioning. It appears Rev Al Miller has a special relationship with Coke and his family. The man of God went into Tivoli gardens where most security forces could not to speak with Christopher ‘Presi’ Coke. Miller later expressed in interviews that he was pressuring Coke to turn himself in.

After news broke of his arrest residents of Tivoli Gardens did not protest but was very vocal to the media crews in the area. Walking in the city yesterday I heard residents expressing their concerns. Most residents still expressed their love and loyalty to the drug lord who protected and provided for the community. Photos have now been released with Coke and his mother who still resides in the community. There is now an arrest warrant for Rev Miller. It was reported in the news that he will turn himself over to the police today. He took the night to pray maybe. Although most Jamaicans are livid with Prime Minister Bruce Golding, he is taking the opportunity to stamp out violence and crime in the Jamaica society. The government last evening was successful in extending the state of emergency with St Catherine included and passing six legislations. The police force is giving criminal elements a warm time since the invasion of western Kingston. They have recovered thousands of ammunitions and numerous guns during the state of emergency. Police statistics have proven that the figures are in their favor and the level of crime has been drastically reduced.

The next few days are critical! Will Coke waive his rights and enter the US? Will their be specific arrangements made to fast track his case? Whatever the option chosen Jamaicans are praying that Coke will not die like his father did.

Editorial Cartoon in the Jamaica Observer

Coke's mother.

TVJ NEWS on June 23, 2010

Photos from the operation from the Jamaica Observer

A disguised Coke