Jamaican drug lord cops to running international drug ring
Christopher "Dudus" Coke, center foreground, pleads not guilty in U.S. federal court in New York. Credit: Getty Images
A Jamaican drug lord pleaded guilty in Manhattan to racketeering and assault Wednesday, weeks before he was to stand trial on charges that could have put him behind bars for life.
Christopher Coke, 42, who admitted to leading the international drug ring known as the Shower Posse and Presidential Clique, faces up to 23 years in prison when he’s sentenced Dec. 8. He told the court that he moved about 3,000 kilos of marijuana and 15 kilos of cocaine to the U.S. starting in 1999. He also said he put out a hit on a Bronx pot dealer in 2007, according to published reports.
“For nearly two decades, Christopher Coke led a ruthless criminal enterprise that used fear, force and intimidation to support its drug and arms trafficking ‘businesses’,” said U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara.
Coke reportedly used his clout to influence Jamaican authorities. He surrendered in June 2010, after Jamaican cops initiated an operation to capture him that left more than 70 civilians and agents dead in street battles.
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 25: Wrestling and hockey state championships On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Gregg Sarra and Matt Lindsay recap all the state wrestling action from Albany this past weekend, plus Jared Valluzzi has the ice hockey championship results from Binghamton.
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 25: Wrestling and hockey state championships On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Gregg Sarra and Matt Lindsay recap all the state wrestling action from Albany this past weekend, plus Jared Valluzzi has the ice hockey championship results from Binghamton.
