2010 Kingston unrest

Armed conflict between the Jamaican government and the Shower Posse gang March 2019 March 2019 2010 Kingston unrest the Jamaican political conflictin the war on drugs 23 May – 23 June 2010(1 month) Kingston, Jamaica * 700+ people arrested Christopher Coke arrested 2 police stations burnt down 85+ guns, 14,000+ rounds of ammunition, and an unknown number of hand grenades, dynamite, ballistic helmets, and protective vests recovered Jamaica Jamaica Constabulary Force Seal_of_the_Jamaica_Defence_Force.svg Jamaica Defence Force Foreign support: United States: Seal_of_the_United_States_Drug_Enforcement_Administration.svg DEAGrillo Ioan 2014-01-21 Jamaica's Organized Crime After the Fall of Dudus Coke https://insightcrime.org/news/analysis/jamaicas-organized-crime-after-the-fall-of-dudus-coke Seal_of_the_United_States_Department_of_Homeland_Security.svg Department of Homeland Security Shower Posse Jamaica Patrick AllenJamaica Bruce GoldingJamaica Dwight Nelson Jamaica Peter Phillips Jamaica Stewart Saunders Jamaica Owen Ellington United States Janet Napolitano Christopher Coke 1000+ soldiers comprising elements of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions300+ police officersDHS P-3 Orion 500+ gunmen (est.) JDF:1 killed30 injuredJCF:3 killed28 injured 26 killedhttps://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/26/world/americas/26jamaica.html Unrest Grows in Jamaica in 3rd Day of Standoff Lacey, Marc The New York Times 25 May 201025 wounded 73+ civilians killed (including the estimates for the gunmen and policemen killed)35+ civilians injured The 2010 Kingston unrest, dubbed locally the Tivoli Incursion, was an armed conflict between Jamaica's military and police forces in the country's capital Kingston, and the Shower Posse drug cartel. The conflict began on 23 May 2010 as security forces began searching for Christopher "Dudus" Coke, a major drug lord, after the United States requested his extradition,http://www.radioproject.org/2011/05/seeking-justice-and-police-accountability-in-jamaica/ Seeking Justice and Police Accountability in Jamaica 31 May 2011 Making Contact National Radio Project 9 June 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110705144237/http://www.radioproject.org/2011/05/seeking-justice-and-police-accountability-in-jamaica/ 5 July 2011 live and the leader of the criminal gang that attacked several police stations. The violence, which largely took place over 24–25 May, killed at least 73 civilians and wounded at least 35 others. Four soldiers and police were also killed and more than 500 arrests were made, as Jamaican police and soldiers fought gunmen in the Tivoli Gardens district of Kingston. Much of the unrest happened in the constituency of the then Prime Minister of Jamaica, Bruce Golding, who said he was "taken aback" by its scale. He was described by the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) as a "known criminal affiliate" of Coke; Golding retorted that this was "extremely offensive".http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/05/26/jamaica/index.html Dozens dead, more than 500 in custody after violence in Jamaica 26 May 2010 CNN 26 May 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100527031932/http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/05/26/jamaica/index.html 27 May 2010 live Although the U.S. government considered Golding one of Coke's associates, it said it supported the Jamaican government's attempt to capture Coke.Whittell, Giles http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article7137686.ece Jamaican leader denies link to Shower Posse gangsters 27 May 2010 The Times 27 May 2010September 2024 medicmedic When prompted as to his whereabouts three days after the mission was launched, police stated they did not know where Coke was.http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/jamaica-unsure-on-kingpins-whereabouts-20100527-wfh7.html Jamaica unsure on kingpin's whereabouts 27 May 2010 The Sydney Morning Herald 27 May 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100528142452/http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/jamaica-unsure-on-kingpins-whereabouts-20100527-wfh7.html 28 May 2010 live Coke was eventually captured on 23 June, after initial rumors that he was attempting to surrender to the United States. Kingston police arrested him on the outskirts of the city, apparently while a local reverend, Reverend Al Miller, was helping negotiate Coke's surrender to the United States Embassy.23 June 2010 Alleged Jamaican drug lord captured Euronews http://www.euronews.net/2010/06/23/alleged-jamaican-drug-lord-captured/ dead 24 June 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100628082203/http://www.euronews.net/2010/06/23/alleged-jamaican-drug-lord-captured/ 28 June 2010 Background History of Shower Posse Lester 'Jim Brown' Coke was the father of Christopher Coke and leader of the Shower Posse gang. The gang gained traction due to material support from the CIA, which would give arms to gangsters supportive of the Jamaican Labour Party in the Jamaican political conflict, such as Shower Posse. After his father's mysterious death in the 1990s, Christopher Coke took over the leadership of Shower Posse and its political garrison in Tivoli Gardens.Guns, gangs and garrison communities in the politics of Jamaica Race & Class 57 4 54–74 Edmonds Kevin SAGE Journals 10.1177/0306396815624864 2016 146933185 Manatt, Phelps, & Phillips and Christopher "Dudus" Coke extradition request In a sitting of Parliament on 16 March 2010, Opposition member Dr. Peter Phillips made reference to an alleged contractual arrangement between the Government and a United States law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips to lobby the US Government on a treaty disputehttp://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20100317/lead/lead4.html Jamaica Gleaner News – Opposition, Gov't lock horns over Brady contract – Lead Stories – Wednesday | March 17, 2010 Jamaica-gleaner.com 17 March 2010 22 May 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100528062253/http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20100317/lead/lead4.html 28 May 2010 live dmy-all between the two countries that had arisen as a result of the Jamaican Government refusing to sign the extradition request for Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, who was wanted in the US on charges relating to narcotics, arms and ammunition trafficking.http://amlawdaily.typepad.com/files/coke-christopher-michael-s15-indictment-1.pdf UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - v. - CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL COKE Amlawdaily.typepad.com 17 October 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20110726064046/http://amlawdaily.typepad.com/files/coke-christopher-michael-s15-indictment-1.pdf 26 July 2011 live dmy-all The Golding Administration refused to sign the extradition request on the claimed basis that the evidence was obtained contrary to Jamaican laws. Golding denied claims that Manatt, Phelps & Phillips was contracted to represent the Jamaican Government.http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20100513/news/news1.html Jamaica Gleaner News – The unfolding of the Manatt saga – What the Gov't has said ... – News – Thursday | May 13, 2010 Jamaica-gleaner.com 22 May 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100516185236/http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20100513/news/news1.html 16 May 2010 live dmy-all 13 May 2010 A US Justice Department filing under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) showed that Manatt, Phelps & Phillips had secured a contract worth US $400,000 to represent the Jamaican government in the treaty dispute.https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/15/AR2010041503600.html U.S.-Jamaica relations tested by lobbying dispute Washingtonpost.com 16 April 2010 22 May 2010 Dan Eggen https://web.archive.org/web/20121110141827/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/15/AR2010041503600.html 10 November 2012 live dmy-allhttp://amlawdaily.typepad.com/amlawdaily/2010/04/jamaica-manatt.html For Manatt, New Twist in Extradition Controversy Amlawdaily.typepad.com 22 May 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100505093145/http://amlawdaily.typepad.com/amlawdaily/2010/04/jamaica-manatt.html 5 May 2010 live dmy-all Karl Samuda, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, made a statement in which he noted that unnamed members of the Jamaica Labour Party had approached Harold Brady, to see whether—through his wide network of international contacts—he could assist in facilitating the opening of discussions between the US authorities and the Government of Jamaica, and thereby seek to resolve what had become a treaty dispute between the US and Jamaica.http://amlawdaily.typepad.com/files/samuda-statement.pdf Document1 22 May 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20110818143108/http://amlawdaily.typepad.com/files/samuda-statement.pdf 18 August 2011 live dmy-all In a statement made by Golding on 11 May 2010 in Parliament, he revealed that he had sanctioned the initiative to lobby the US Government but that the initiative was to be undertaken by the Jamaica Labour Party and not on behalf of the government.http://go-jamaica.com/news/read_article.php?id=19232 Statement by Prime Minister Bruce Golding on the Manatt Affair :: News Go-Jamaica 22 May 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20110711103823/http://go-jamaica.com/news/read_article.php?id=19232 11 July 2011 live dmy-all 12 May 2010Brian Baxter http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202458175119 Jamaican Prime Minister: I OK'd Hiring Manatt, but Party Paid Law.com 14 May 2010 22 May 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100526102333/http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202458175119 26 May 2010 live dmy-all Following his revelation, the Opposition People's National Party; its youth arm, the PNPYO; and the National Democratic Movement called for his resignation as prime minister.http://www.radiojamaica.com/content/view/27292/26/ Radiojamaica.com... today's news... today – Offline Radiojamaica.com 22 May 2010 October 2010 H3llBot Manatt, Phelps & Phillips maintains that they were contracted on behalf of the Jamaican Government through Harold C.W. Brady of Brady and Co and have since severed ties with the Jamaican Government.http://www.csmenetwork.com/2/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7277:manatt-phelps-and-phillips-severs-ties-with-jamaica-government&catid=122:csme-network-latest&Itemid=211 Manatt, Phelps and Phillips severs ties with Jamaica Government Csmenetwork.com 1 April 2010 22 May 2010 September 2018 InternetArchiveBot yes On 17 May 2010, in a televised address to the nation,http://www.radiojamaica.com/content/view/27392/26/ Radiojamaica.com... today's news... today – Offline Radiojamaica.com 22 May 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100521044956/http://www.radiojamaica.com/content/view/27392/26 21 May 2010 Golding apologised to the Jamaican people for his involvement in the Manatt affair. He stated that he was prepared to step aside as prime minister and leader of the Party in a meeting of the party executive. The executive rejected his offer and reassured their support for his role as party leader and prime minister. In his statement he outlined new measures including assigning some of his portfolio responsibilities to other government Ministers, and a renewed thrust to enact legislation for: the impeachment of parliamentary members, term limits for the office of prime minister and political party finance reform.http://www.jis.gov.jm/PMspeeches/html/20100517T200000-0500_23975_JIS_ADDRESS_TO_THE_NATION_BY_THE_PRIME_MINISTER_OF_JAMAICA__THE_HON_BRUCE_GOLDING.asp Address To The Nation By The Prime Minister Of Jamaica, The Hon Bruce Golding – Jamaica Information Service Jis.gov.jm 22 May 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100521172424/http://www.jis.gov.jm/PMspeeches/html/20100517T200000-0500_23975_JIS_ADDRESS_TO_THE_NATION_BY_THE_PRIME_MINISTER_OF_JAMAICA__THE_HON_BRUCE_GOLDING.asp 21 May 2010 He also confirmed that Attorney General and Minister of Justice Dorothy Lightbourne will sign the authorization for the US authorities to commence the extradition case against Christopher Coke.http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Jamaica-to-sign-Dudus-extradition-request Jamaica to sign Dudus extradition request – Breaking & Current Jamaica News JamaicaObserver.com 17 May 2010 22 May 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100521091958/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Jamaica-to-sign-Dudus-extradition-request 21 May 2010 live dmy-all Initial unrest Christopher Coke 23 May 2010 Following the televised address, supporters of Christopher Coke began erecting barricades to the entrances of the Tivoli Gardens Community. This continued for several days as the security forces prepared to enter Tivoli Gardens to serve Coke with the warrant for his arrest. The unrest started on 23 May 2010, when gangsters assaulted four police stations in southwestern Kingston and managed to loot and partially burn out one of the stations.24 May 2010 Attack on State - Police stations set ablaze Cop shot, civilian slain The Gleaner http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20100524/lead/lead1.html live 26 May 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100527055454/http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20100524/lead/lead1.html 27 May 2010Hannah Town police station set ablaze http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Hannah-Town-police-station-ablaze Jamaica Observer 23 May 2010 26 May 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100526083539/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Hannah-Town-police-station-ablaze 2010-05-26 dead A second police station was also later burnt down. Afterward, some 1,000 police and soldiers assaulted a public housing complex occupied by heavily armed gangsters defending Christopher "Dudus" Coke, considered one of the world's most dangerous drug lords,Jamaica security forces storm 'drugs lord' stronghold https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10148973 25 May 2010 25 May 2010 BBC News https://web.archive.org/web/20100525204311/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/latin_america/10148973.stm 25 May 2010 live who had been indicted in the United States on drug and arms trafficking charges. Cartel gunmen swarmed through West Kingston, battling police and soldiers, and trapping civilians in their homes. The aim of the joint police-military operation was to enter the community, with the objectives being to arrest Coke, clear the blockades, restore law and order and recover illegal guns believed to be in the community.Lacey Marc 2010-05-24 Jamaica Declares Emergency Amid Unrest https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/24/world/americas/24jamaica.html 2024-06-22 The New York Times en-US 0362-4331 Coke has a heroic reputation in Kingston's garrisons.Officials say Coke is still in Jamaica : Cayman News Service Archive (2008-2014) https://archive.caymannewsservice.com/2010/05/29/officials-say-coke-is-still-in-jamaica/ 2024-06-22 en-GB He has been likened to Robin Hood because he has helped the community by handing out food, sending children to school and building medical centres.2010-05-24 Profile: Christopher 'Dudus' Coke https://www.bbc.com/news/10146172 2024-06-22 BBC News en-GB State of emergency 24–25 May 2010 May 2018 On the night of 24/25 May 2010, the Jamaican government declared a state of emergency in the capital Kingston and in the parish of St Andrew to last for one monthhttp://www.jis.gov.jm/officePM/html/20100523T170000-0500_24049_JIS_STATE_OF_EMERGENCY_DECLARED_IN_KINGSTON_AND_ST__ANDREW_WITH_EFFECT_FROM_6_00PM_TODAY__MAY_23__2010.asp https://web.archive.org/web/20100527031508/http://www.jis.gov.jm/officePM/html/20100523T170000-0500_24049_JIS_STATE_OF_EMERGENCY_DECLARED_IN_KINGSTON_AND_ST__ANDREW_WITH_EFFECT_FROM_6_00PM_TODAY__MAY_23__2010.asp dead "State of Emergency Declared in Kingston and St. Andrew with Effect from 6:00pm Today, May 23, 2010" 27 May 2010 while gunmen were pursued by the security services.Hunt for gunmen in state of emergency http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Hunt-for-gunmen-in-state-of-emergency Jamaica Observer 25 May 2010 25 May 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100528164008/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Hunt-for-gunmen-in-state-of-emergency 28 May 2010 liveSheil, Ross https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/may/24/gangs-barricade-kingston-jamaica Kingston declares state of emergency after gangs attack police 25 May 2010 The Guardian 25 May 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100525101837/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/may/24/gangs-barricade-kingston-jamaica 25 May 2010 livehttps://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/24/world/americas/24jamaica.html Jamaica Declares Emergency Amid Unrest The New York Times 24 May 2010 17 October 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141027083851/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/24/world/americas/24jamaica.html 27 October 2014 live dmy-all Lacey Marc 24 May 2010 was also a public holiday (Labour Day). Security forces broke through barbed-wire barricades and fought their way into the warren-like Tivoli Gardens neighbourhood well into 24 May. While fighting raged in Tivoli Gardens, gun battles spread to other volatile garrisons close to Kingston. Tivoli was heavily fortified by gangsters in preparation for the inevitable onslaught by the security forces. Molotov cocktail "factories" as well as storage dumps for ammunition were created in various sections of the community to provide quick supply to the gunmen besieging Tivoli. Electrified barbed wires were used to block the main entrance to the community along with old burnt out cars and sharp metal scraps and cement. These barriers were further fortified by the use of improvised explosive devices made from cooking gas cylinders armed with electronically detonated fuses. Manholes were uncovered and filled with spikes and the roads were lined with additional hidden improvised explosive devices. Recon operations by JDF helicopters showed well-organized roadblocks made of sandbags, each with three to four men armed with AK-47s and Molotov cocktails. Snipers had also been stationed on roofs so as to kill as many of the lawmen as possible before they could start disassembling the barriers. According to Colonel Rocky Meade the level of defensive work was becoming of a very well organized militia. Ground reports suggested that it took the soldiers two hours to advance a distance of 200 meters at the start of the operation, a distance that usually takes five minutes. A surveillance aircraft was seen flying over Kingston on 24 May, bearing identifying marks that belonged to the United States Department of Homeland Security.https://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/12/12/111212fa_fact_schwartz Extraditing Christopher Coke and a Massacre in Jamaica Schwartz Mattathias 12 December 2011 1 January 2012 The New Yorker https://web.archive.org/web/20120107074127/http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/12/12/111212fa_fact_schwartz 7 January 2012 live dmy-all The aircraft took live video of Tivoli Gardens, which was given to Jamaican ground forces via U.S. law enforcement officers. The aircraft was identified as a Lockheed P-3 Orion. The Jamaican government denied the presence of the aircraft.http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20111207/lead/lead5.html US plane monitored Tivoli operation Beckford Mark 7 December 2011 1 January 2012 The Gleaner https://web.archive.org/web/20111231003756/http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20111207/lead/lead5.html 31 December 2011 live dmy-all The denials were repeated by National Security Minister Dwight Nelson after The New Yorker published an article on the raids in Tivoli Gardens.http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20111208/lead/lead5.html Nelson denies US spy plane reports 8 December 2011 1 January 2012 The Gleaner https://web.archive.org/web/20120108020327/http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20111208/lead/lead5.html 8 January 2012 live dmy-all Prime Minister Andrew Holness later admitted that an aircraft from the United States had been involved in gathering information in the raids.http://jamaica-gleaner.com/videos/video.php?id=304 Leads in Review: US spy plane over Tivoli 9 December 2011 1 January 2012 Gleaner Company https://web.archive.org/web/20111231222402/http://jamaica-gleaner.com/videos/video.php?id=304 31 December 2011 live dmy-all 26 May On 26 May, police stated that they had more than 500 people in custody. The civilian death toll was raised to 44. An independent assessment team said there were "appalling conditions" to be seen in Tivoli Gardens as people were stuck in houses.Sheil, Ross Davies, Caroline https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/may/26/kingston-jamaica-dudus-coke Kingston residents trapped inside homes as Jamaican death toll rises 26 May 2010 The Guardian 26 May 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100527031054/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/may/26/kingston-jamaica-dudus-coke 27 May 2010 live Lack of food, running water and a surplus of visible bodily waste were reportedly problems faced by many, while dozens of children and toddlers were lost in Rasta City with one wounded woman losing her 18-month-old son on the way to hospital. Corpses belonging to young men under the age of 30 were said to be lining the morgue. Prime Minister Golding said: "The government deeply regrets the loss of lives, especially those of members of the security forces and innocent, law-abiding citizens caught in the crossfire."https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/jamaican-clashes-kill-44-1.866418 Jamaican clashes kill 44 26 May 2010 CBC News 26 May 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100527041551/https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/jamaican-clashes-kill-44-1.866418 27 May 2010 live Journalists were ordered to "keep back" by the military while buildings were burnt by cartel gunmen, and looting occurred.http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-05/27/c_13317682.htm Drug baron's extradition sparks violence in Jamaica 27 May 2010 Xinhua News Agency 27 May 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100527032443/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-05/27/c_13317682.htm 27 May 2010 deadhttps://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/26/world/americas/26jamaica.html Unrest Grows in Jamaica in 3rd Day of Standoff The New York Times 25 May 2010 17 October 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141027083838/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/26/world/americas/26jamaica.html 27 October 2014 live dmy-all Lacey Marc 27–28 May On 27 May, police said they had located the corpses of 73 civilians.https://montrealgazette.com/news/Jamaica+police+death+toll/3078392/story.html Jamaica police put death toll at 73 27 May 2010 The Gazette (Montreal) 27 May 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100530082915/http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Jamaica%2Bpolice%2Bdeath%2Btoll/3078392/story.html 30 May 2010 dead dmy-all http://www.opm.gov.jm/news_and_public_affairs/73_bodies_recovered_from_tivoli_gardens 19 March 2013 73 Bodies Recovered from Tivoli Gardens dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120228203530/http://www.opm.gov.jm/news_and_public_affairs/73_bodies_recovered_from_tivoli_gardens 28 February 2012 Three members of the security forces (2 JCF and 1 JDF) were reported dead.http://www.jis.gov.jm/news/archive/24161-security-more-guns-unearthed-in-tivolii https://archive.today/20130702163250/http://www.jis.gov.jm/news/archive/24161-security-more-guns-unearthed-in-tivolii dead 2013-07-02 More Guns Unearthed in Tivoli | Jamaica Information Service Journalists who reported on the scene received conflicting information. While soldiers commented little on the events which occurred, the residents of the neighborhood expressed that a massacre took place, a massacre which soldiers were attempting to cover up.http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Tivoli-Gardens-tour-reveals-little Jamaica Observer Limited Jamaica Observer 2019-09-30 30 May 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100530035422/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Tivoli-Gardens-tour-reveals-little dead However, independent observers, such as Political Ombudsman Bishop Herro Blair and Public Defender Earl Witter, who visited the community expressed satisfaction with conditions. Residents were also quick to praise the conduct of soldiers.Sheil, Ross Tivoli Gardens tour reveals little http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Tivoli-Gardens-tour-reveals-little The Jamaica Observer 27 May 2010 27 May 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100530035422/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Tivoli-Gardens-tour-reveals-little 30 May 2010 live By 28 May, a total of 22 illegal firearms and 8,550 rounds of ammunition had been seized from the area of operations.http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/columns/Massacre-in-Tivoli-Gardens_7662777 Massacre in Tivoli Gardens - Columns Jamaica Observer 17 October 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141021140320/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/columns/Massacre-in-Tivoli-Gardens_7662777 2014-10-21 dead 29 May On 29 May, it was reported that 58 members of the security forces had been injured in the operation (30 soldiers and 28 policemen). While rumours persisted that Coke had fled the island, the Police Commissioner Owen Ellington revealed that the police had intelligence that Coke was still in Jamaica. Speaking further on the operation, the head of communications of the Jamaica Defence Force, Colonel Rocky Meade said of Coke's militia "They were very well-organized, they knew what they were doing. We encountered very sophisticated defensive layouts. The resistance was fierce and lasted for about 12 hours,". The security forces presented a slide show and video footage from the operation showing improvised explosive devices rigged to barricades, plastic explosives, shrapnel, rifles and handguns recovered and men walking freely with firearms and using binoculars from high-rise buildings in the community. The soldiers also reportedly found that the explosive devices were attached by wires to remote devices which led to houses in the community with one photograph showing the sprawled body of a man posted at one of these remote control points and who was taken out by a JDF sniper before he could trigger the device.http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Dudus--still-here_7658350 'Dudus' still here - News Jamaica Observer 17 October 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141021140704/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Dudus--still-here_7658350 21 October 2014 live dmy-all Up to the evening of 29 May a total of 28 guns and 8,885 rounds of assorted ammunition were recovered from West Kingston. The security forces also discovered a closed circuit television system inside Coke's Presidential Click office, which monitored all the entrances into Tivoli Gardens. They also found large amounts of local and foreign currency in the office. Referring to the persons who died during the firefight, Commission Ellington said that some of the men who died in the firefight were dressed like females at the time they were killed, emphasized that the police had not interred any bodies, and said the badly decomposed corpses which were slated to be buried in the May Pen cemetery had been removed to a facility with the capability to store them until they were properly identified. Post-mortem examinations were to be conducted on the 73 persons killed by the security forces on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of the next week, and the photographs of the dead persons were to be posted on a billboard in Tivoli Gardens. There were two women among the dead, one of whom—based on the state of decomposition of the body—appeared to have been killed before the offensive started. 30 May On 30 May, the last group of persons detained during the nearly week-long operation were released.http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20100530/lead/lead9.html Jamaica Gleaner News - Detainees released - Lead Stories - Sunday - May 30, 2010 Jamaica-gleaner.com 17 October 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20120615033743/http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20100530/lead/lead9.html 15 June 2012 live dmy-all 30 May 2010 Over 700 men were detained during the operation, 400 of whom had no address in Tivoli Gardens.http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20100530/lead/lead1.html Jamaica Gleaner News - Crushing Coke - How the security forces conquered Dudus' fortress - Lead Stories - Sunday - May 30, 2010 Jamaica-gleaner.com 17 October 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20160131041238/http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20100530/lead/lead1.html 31 January 2016 live dmy-all 30 May 2010 The police ended up processing these men to determine if they were wanted by the police in other divisions. These men were suspected to be members of other criminal networks from across the island who had gone into Tivoli Gardens to lend support to Christopher Coke. "They gave false names and they have no address in Tivoli Gardens", reported Commissioner Ellington. After processing most of the approximately 700 persons were released, however more than 50 of these men were wanted by the police for various crimes and remained in custody, and a large number of them were listed as persons of interest and remained under police watch. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Charles Scarlett rejected claims that the detainees had been abused and denied basic amenities such as toilets. He said that several interest groups, including the Red Cross, had been allowed to visit the detention centers and expressed satisfaction with the measures that were in place to deal with the persons detained. Meanwhile, an explosives expert, supported by other former members of the JCF and JDF (who had been dismissed for varying reasons) and thugs loyal to Coke, was suspected of masterminding the elaborate defensive systems established around Tivoli Gardens prior the events of 23 May. The elaborate defence network included booby traps (such as LPG cylinders laced with explosives) and explosive devices. Some which were similar to devices used in Afghanistan by the Taliban and included bits of steel for maiming. Other explosive devices found included Molotov cocktails. Supplementing these booby traps and explosives was an army of thugs estimated to be over 400 strong and arriving from as far away as Montego Bay, Claredon, St. Catherine and St. Thomas. Road blocks consisting of old cars, scrap metal, crates, pallets, sandbags, barrels and discarded household items also formed a part of the defensive systems. The more elaborate road blocks consisted of sandbag-camouflaged concrete slabs with peepholes. The high-rise buildings in the neighbourhood were also prepared as lookout points and signalling centres, with truck tyres placed there, intended to be lit to create smokescreens against possible helicopter assaults. Ultimately, all of these defensive systems were overcome during the joint JCF/JDF operation mounted in response to the attacks on police stations on 23 May. At the end of the violence a total of 14 police stations had been attacked, including two that had been burnt to the ground. Ongoing searches for guns in the West Kingston area unearthed 8 more illegal firearms (five of which were discovered on 29 May and the other three (pistols) discovered on 30 May). This brought the total number of illegal weapons retrieved up to 36, along with 9,241 rounds of assorted ammunition for use by SLRs, AK-47s and M16s. Aftermath Vote of no confidence in the government; Gun count rises Following the revelation that Prime Minister Golding had sanctioned the initiative for the Jamaica Labour Party to hire US lobbying firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, and his handling of the extradition request for Christopher "Dudus" Coke, members and groups of civil society, church groups and political parties called for his resignation. With the backing of his party, the Prime Minister maintained that he would continue his term as prime minister. This prompted the opposition People's National Party to table a motion of no confidence.http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/PM-defeats-no-confidence-motion_7668666 PM defeats no-confidence motion - News Jamaica Observer 17 October 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141021135035/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/PM-defeats-no-confidence-motion_7668666 2014-10-21 deadhttps://www.go-jamaica.com/news/read_article.php?id=19786 Bruce survives no-confidence motion Jamaica Gleaner 17 October 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20100603222401/http://go-jamaica.com/news/read_article.php?id=19786 3 June 2010 live dmy-all 2 June 2010https://www.voanews.com/english/news/americas/Jamaican-PM-Survives-No-Confidence-Vote-in-Parliament-95410379.html Jamaican PM Survives No-Confidence Vote in Parliament VOA 17 October 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20100602193418/http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/americas/Jamaican-PM-Survives-No-Confidence-Vote-in-Parliament-95410379.html 2 June 2010 live dmy-all The opposition leader, Portia Simpson-Miller, led the debate in Parliament outlining the arguments for Golding's removal from office and moving that he be censured. The debate lasted for four hours on 1 June 2010, and at the end the motion was defeated 30–28, with members of the House of Representatives voting strictly on party lines. By 31 May, a total of 40 firearms and more than 9,200 rounds of assorted ammunition had been discovered in the ongoing secondary searches conducted by the security forces with 12 weapons having been discovered around 29 May to 30 May and an additional 7 weapons being found between 30 May and 31 May. The latest discovery (of 7 guns) had been made among debris in garbage trucks leaving the Tivoli Gardens community.http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/Cops-confident-ongoing-search-will-turn-up-more-guns--ammo-in-Tivoli_76 Cops confident ongoing search will turn up more guns, ammo in Tivoli Jamaica Observer 17 October 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141021140905/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/Cops-confident-ongoing-search-will-turn-up-more-guns--ammo-in-Tivoli_76 2014-10-21 dead In explaining the difficulties faced in recovering illegal weapons in the area, Commissioner Ellington noted that many of the thugs who were shooting at members of the security forces were themselves hit from distances of over 300 yards. Thus there would be ample time for some residents to retrieve weapons from the slain gunmen as the members of the security forces themselves would have to proceed with caution before attempting to retrieve those firearms after hitting the gunmen. The Police Commissioner also voiced his doubts about whether or not all the bodies recovered in West Kingston were of persons killed during the security forces' operations; the advanced state of decomposition of some of the bodies led him to believe that they might have been killed prior to the security forces entering Tivoli Gardens. On 3 June, two more firearms were recovered in Tivoli Gardens, bringing the total number of guns recovered to 52. along with over 10,000 rounds of assorted ammunition.http://jamaica-gleaner.com/latest/article.php?id=19851 Two more guns found in Tivoli Jamaica Gleaner 17 October 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141021170253/http://jamaica-gleaner.com/latest/article.php?id=19851 21 October 2014 live dmy-all 3 June 2010 Capture of Coke; Gun count continues to rise Coke was arrested on 22 June 2010 at a police roadblock near the outskirts of Kingston. He had been trying to reach the US Embassy to surrender himself. Reverend Al Miller, an influential evangelical priest who tried to facilitate the surrender, was interrogated by police; he stated that Coke had decided to give himself up, but had feared he would be killed if he surrendered directly to police and decided to give himself up at the Embassy instead, and claimed to have been asked for aid by Coke. Coke was reportedly disguised as a woman when he was arrested.http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Al-Miller-turns-himself-in Al Miller turns himself in - News Jamaica Observer 17 October 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141021135443/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Al-Miller-turns-himself-in 21 October 2014 live dmy-all Two days after Coke's capture, the security forces found more guns and ammunition in Tivoli Gardens, bringing the total number of guns recovered to 88 with over 14,000 rounds of ammunition also recovered.http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/-New--guns-found-in-Tivoli New guns found in Tivoli Gardens - News Jamaica Observer 17 October 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141021135656/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/-New--guns-found-in-Tivoli 2014-10-21 dead These illegal guns included over 40 pistols and 45 rifles/shotguns, ranging from sub-machine guns and Type 56 assault rifles to .22 pistols. The recovered ammunition included a wide assortment such as 7.62mm, and 5.56mm rounds for rifles, to 9mm rounds which can be used in handguns and submachine guns. In addition to guns and ammunition the security forces also recovered 19 grenades, 32 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and 34 "other forms of explosives".http://www.jis.gov.jm/news/112-national-security/24465-security-charges-to-be-brought-against-at-least-3-west-kgn-detainees https://archive.today/20130702163605/http://www.jis.gov.jm/news/112-national-security/24465-security-charges-to-be-brought-against-at-least-3-west-kgn-detainees dead 2013-07-02 Charges to be Brought Against at Least 30 West KGN Detainees | Jamaica Information Service Extradition of Coke In a 15-minute hearing, Coke waived his right to an extradition trial before a judge. The hearing took place under heavy security at a military outpost in Kingston, due to fears of possible attacks by supporters. Coke was then taken to Norman Manley International Airport by a military helicopter, transferred to a US aircraft, and flown to New York, where he was taken into custody by DEA agents.http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2010/06/201062420255879520.html Jamaica 'drug lord' arrives in US Al Jazeera English 17 October 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20151224104608/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2010/06/201062420255879520.html 24 December 2015 live dmy-all In 2011, Coke pleaded guilty to racketeering and drug-related charges in a New York Federal court, and was sentenced to 23 years in prison on 8 June 2012.Office (USAO) U. S. Attorney's U.S. Attorney's Office - U.S. Department of Justice https://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/nys/pressreleases/June12/cokechristophersentencing.html 2024-06-22 www.justice.gov en-usWeiser Benjamin 2012-06-08 Jamaican Drug Lord Gets Maximum Term https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/09/nyregion/christopher-coke-jamaican-drug-lord-is-sentenced.html 2024-06-22 The New York Times en-US 0362-4331 International response and legacies Several airlines cancelled flights to and from Kingston after foreign governments issued emergency warnings against travel to the city.http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2010/05/2010524193557883583.html Jamaica PM vows to restore order 26 May 2010 Al Jazeera 26 May 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100527032520/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2010/05/2010524193557883583.html 27 May 2010 live Canadians were told not to travel to Kingston unless their journey was essential.https://vancouversun.com/travel/Canadians+urged+avoid+travel+Kingston/3067918/story.html Canadians urged to avoid travel to Kingston 25 May 2010 The Vancouver Sun 25 May 2010 September 2018 InternetArchiveBot yes Meanwhile, the fifth one-dayer cricket match and first Test cricket match between West Indies and South Africa were transferred to Trinidad due to security fears.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/8707603.stm Windies matches moved to avoid violence in Kingston 26 May 2010 BBC Sport 26 May 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100529054556/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/8707603.stm 29 May 2010 livehttp://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=6&click_id=4&art_id=vn20100526125237338C681796 Proteas jittery as violence rocks Kingston 26 May 2010 IOL 26 May 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100528093314/http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=6&click_id=4&art_id=vn20100526125237338C681796 28 May 2010 livehttps://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12341_6174040,00.html Matches moved from Jamaica 26 May 2010 Sky Sports 26 May 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100530071050/http://www.skysports.com/story/0%2C19528%2C12341_6174040%2C00.html 30 May 2010 live On 27 May 2010, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights called for an impartial inquiry into the unrest.http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/05/27/jamaica.violence/ OAS body raises concerns over Jamaica as death toll rises 27 May 2010 CNN 27 May 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100530095457/http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/05/27/jamaica.violence/ 30 May 2010 live Amnesty International and Jamaica's third party have echoed these sentiments. In 2013, the Government of Jamaica announced it would set up a Commission of Inquiry to investigate and report on the operation: the commission, informally known as the Tivoli Inquiry, started sitting in December 2014. It is chaired by Barbados judge Sir David Simmons with Justice Hazel Harris and Professor Anthony Harriott.Henry Paul Tivoli enquiry opens today http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Tivoli-enquiry-opens-today Jamaica Observer 1 December 2014 22 June 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150622220220/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Tivoli-enquiry-opens-today 22 June 2015 live dmy-all The Kingston unrest is memorialized in a documentary entitled "Four Days in May: Kingston 2010" created by Deborah A. Thomas of the University of Pennsylvania Department of Anthropology with Junior "Gabu" Wedderburn and Deanne M. Bell. Thomas also developed an installation commemorating the unrest entitled ''Bearing Witness: Four Days in West Kingston'' https://web.archive.org/web/20200327004904/https://www.penn.museum/on-view/galleries-exhibitions/bearing-witness-four-days-in-west-kingston 27 March 2020 at the Penn Museum. References Further reading McCaul, Kathleen. "Jamaica drug gangs 'call the shots'". Thursday 27 May 2010. Interview with Ian Thomson, Ondaajte Prize winner. Silverman, John (Professor). "Jamaica violence 'linked to US drug market'". Thursday 27 May 2010. (from the author of Crack of Doom, the first British book about drugs and Jamaica) Thomas, Deborah A. 2019. Political Life in the Wake of the Plantation: Sovereignty, Witnessing, Repair. Durham: Duke University Press. External links Jamaica State of emergency declared in Kingston, Jamaica BBC News – Jamaica unrest: Your stories BBC World Service – Jamaica's 'Godfather' Campaign for victim's reparations Kingston unrest Kingston unrest Category:Organised crime conflicts in Jamaica Category:21st century in Kingston, Jamaica Category:Shower Posse Category:Riots and civil disorder in Jamaica Category:Jamaica–United States relations