Reward for Coke ‘not enough’

KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) is asking its members to contribute more cash to a police JAM$1.7 million (US$20 000) reward for the arrest of fugitive Christopher “Dudus” Coke, who is wanted in the United States on drug and gun related charges.Coke, 41, the reputed leader of the notorious Shower Posse gang, has been on the run for more than a month after the security forces clashed with gunmen loyal to him, resulting in the death of 76 people, most of them civilians.Chairman of the PSOJ’s National Security Committee, Peter John Thwaites, said the reward being offered by the police is not “enticing enough” given Coke’s alleged wealth.“For a guy like him (Coke), you would need a lot of money . . .  enough to make even his most trusted friend turn him in,” said Thwaites, who is also chairman of Crime Stop, an initiative to get greater public participation in the fight against crime.Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Glenmore Hinds, said the reward is substantial, indicating it is among the highest ever offered by law enforcement.“We are expecting that people, motivated by their civic duty, will call us,” he said. “The police would like to find Coke to execute a warrant of arrest issued by the Courts of Jamaica for him to face extradition proceedings. Coke is wanted by United States law enforcement agencies for drugs and gun running. “Persons knowing the whereabouts of Christopher “Dudus” Coke can contact Operation Kingfish at 811, Crime Stop at 311 and Police Control at 119,” the police said.Meanwhile, an overwhelming number of Jamaicans are demanding that soldiers take the fight to criminals throughout the country.A poll commissioned by the Gleaner newspaper found that almost nine in every ten persons agree that soldiers should lead the charge against the criminals.The island wide poll found that 87 per cent of respondents supported the view that the soldiers should play a greater role in crime fighting than they were at that time.The poll was conducted on April 24 and 25 and May 1 with a sample size of just over a thousand people. It has a margin of error of plus or minus three per cent. (CMC)