Lead Stories

Justice officials in the United States have welcomed news that Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, who they have designated one of the world's most "dangerous narcotics kingpins", is in custody and could be extradited by Friday.

Coke, who was arrested on Tuesday, is expected to waive his right to challenge the extradition order when he appears in court today.

This should pave the way for the enforcer many call 'The President' to be sent to the US to answer several charges.

Yesterday, American authorities were unwilling to provide details on the process, pointing The Gleaner instead to a terse statement issued by Preet Bharara, the US attorney for the Southern District of New York.

"We look forward to working closely with the Jamaican authorities to bring Coke to justice to face charges pending against him in Manhattan Federal Court," Bharara said in the six-line statement.

Bharara has been the point man for the US in its attempts to prosecute Coke and had initially described the charges against him as "another important step in our bringing to justice the world's most dangerous criminals, wherever they may be found".

According to Bharara: "The charges against Christopher Michael Coke starkly illustrate the dangerous connection between the international trade in narcotics and illicit firearms."