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ALLEGED CRIME boss Christopher 'Dudus' Coke is to return to a court in New York on Monday to find out if he will be kept in custody until his trial ends.

Coke appeared in the Manhattan federal court in New York yesterday where he pleaded not guilty to charges that he ran a massive international drug and gun ring.

Coke was taken to court by United States authorities less than 24 hours after being extradited to the United States to answer to the charges that were laid against him last year.

"As I understand, you are pleading not guilty at this time? That is what your lawyer said," Judge Robert Patterson asked during the brief court appearance.

"Yes, that is right," Coke's lawyer, Russel Newfeld, replied.

Coke remanded

The judge then ordered that Coke be remanded before setting June 28 as the date the former west Kingston strongman is to return to court.

At that hearing, the judge is expected to rule that Coke should be jailed indefinitely, pending trial.

In court papers yesterday, prosecutors said Coke conspired to distribute cocaine and marijuana throughout the eastern United States for more than 15 years.

According to the documents filed by the prosecutors, drug dealers in the US regularly sent cash and goods, including clothing, electronics and firearms, to Coke as 'tribute' payments in recognition of his leadership and assistance.

Coke was captured on the Mandela Highway close to the border of St Catherine and St Andrew on Tuesday after a monthlong search.

He was held by the police in a car driven by the popular preacher, Al Miller, who claimed he was taking the country's most-wanted man to the American Embassy in St Andrew to turn himself over to US authorities.

Miller has since been charged with perverting the course of justice and harbouring a fugitive.

He was offered bail of $200,000 and booked to appear in court next Friday.

Coke appeared in court on Thursday and waived his right to challenge the extradition order before he was whisked out of the country.

Hopes for ja's healing

In a brief written statement, Coke said he was saddened by the deaths of the persons during the attempt by the security forces to capture him in Tivoli Gardens.

The man his friends and associates call 'Pressi' said he hoped his departure would help the country heal.

"I take this decision, for I now believe it to be in the best interest of my family, the community of western Kingston and in particular, the people of Tivoli Gardens, and above all, Jamaica," Coke said in the statement.

Coke expressed confidence that he would be vindicated and allowed to return to his family.