The government continues to bolster strong man Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke, who is wanted in the United States on alleged criminal charges, through contracts to his company, Incomparable Enterprise Limited.
The latest release of contracts from the Contractor General (OCG) endorsed by the National Contracts Commission (NCC) during the month of August 2009 shows an award of a contract for $2.7 million to Incomparable Enterprise for lease of heavy-duty equipment.
Earlier this year, the company was awarded $6 million contract to build a monument for former Prime Minister, the late Hugh Lawson Shearer. This is in addition to close to $30 million from the Kingston & St Andrew Corporation (KSAC) since the Jamaica Labour Party took control of the council.
Reports are that the government has sought answers from the US government on the identities of a number of unnamed co-conspirators in a Grand Jury indictment alleging that Coke committed several counts of drug trafficking and gun-running offences. But under US laws, the prosecution can withhold the names of informers.
This position was upheld in a case, the State v Zamora following a spate of killings of informers who testified in criminal cases.
The Grand Jury indictment against Coke states that from 1994, and October 2007, in the Southern District of New York and elsewhere, and others known and unknown, unlawfully, intentionally, and knowingly combined, conspired, confederated, and agreed together and with each other to violate the narcotics laws of the United States.
According to the Grand Jury, around 1994 Coke and others known and unknown, not being licensed importers, licensed manufacturers and licensed dealers engaged in the business of dealing in firearms: In the course of such business ship and transport firearms in interstate commerce in breach of US laws.
Coke and his co-conspirators would answer charges of possession of and intent to distribute, 1,000 kilograms and more of mixtures and substances containing a detectable amount of marijuana, in violation of Sections 812, 841(a) (1), and 841(b) (1) (A) of Title 21, United States Code.
The accused and his co-conspirators would also face charges for unlawfully, intentionally, distributing five kilograms and more of mixtures and substances containing a detectable amount of cocaine. The Grand Jury was told that Coke controlled the Tivoli Gardens area, a neighborhood in inner city Kingston, Jamaica, since 1990.
Donville you are right. Our politicians think they are smart. They can delay, that are only delaying perhaps their vulnerability to be shipped abroad for association with these criminals. One thing though,he really kept the thieves at bay. Yu can shop safely at Currie market on Saturdays. I had stopped going there for nearly 6 years and resumed 2002. It is safe as ever.
If the government failed to respond to the extradition, then we are going to come under severe pressure from the USA. Then again politicians think they can play game with Uncle Sam. Dont be alarmed if what happen to General Noreiga does happen here. I used to think the US erred in the Noreiga case. No, I was wrong Noreiga although spying for Cuba was a big time drug baron.
How can the Government be awarding a contract to a man who is awaiting extradition. I agree with M.K.M. let him face the music and if he is innocent will be set free. I am afraid the Government has relinquished its moral authority to lead this country. Where is the new and different Mr. Golding?
Yeah I kinda agree with you J Forrest, I am not in support of how the Grand Jury works. The double standards are too obvious, as, I think also they should interdict the gun merchants who are operating “legally” in selling arms to poor nations like ours and to any one who can pay. But, we should all be saying that before we had extradited one Jamaican, not just now because it is the President, even though these men were obviously never innocent of some of the charges. Frankly, we need a local Grand Jury to just lock away some people.
“Nah nuh use Bruce” continues to play Russian roulette with this whole “Coke Affair”. When will he get it??
The truth of the matter remains a fact that there are REAL GARRISON AREAS in Jamaica. The government has found itself in a trap that has been long established and slowly festered. The real question is: who else other that Mr. Coke can be agreed upon to contract any form of work in the volatile West Kingston area? It is he who has the strongest hand in that area, not even the politicians or the police themselves, therefore unless he has agreed upon otherwise, Tivoli thugs will ensure that no outsiders are given jobs over them. As for the extradition, indeed the government is playing a skillful game of chess, however, the aim here is not to avoid checkmate but to delay it. I welcome all comments and responses, let me know what you think about my views too.