YES SAH

Informant Spills Beans On Dudus
Published: Tuesday May 22, 2012 | 11:19 am1 Comment

Christopher Dudus Coke being escorted by US officials in 2010- AP/Photo
Mark Beckford, Online Content Coordinator

More information has been released detailing the illegal activities of Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke, who pleaded guilty to racketeering, conspiracy and conspiracy to commit assault in aid of racketeering in the United States last year.

A document filed by US prosecutors in the Southern District Court of New York gives extensive details about Coke’s rise and rule of the Shower Posse in his native Tivoli Gardens in West Kingston.

The document entitled ‘Declaration in connection with the sentencing of Christopher Michael Coke’ is a 26-page statement by a unidentified cooperating witness.

It covers the Coke Family, the Shower Posse organisation, acts of violence, firearms trafficking, cocaine trafficking and extortion.

The statement introduces the informant’s association with Jim Brown, Coke’s father as a bodyguard and his acquaintance with Jah-T and Dudus. He describes the Shower Posse organisation as one involved in murder, extortion, armed robbery, narcotics and firearms trafficking in Jamaica and United States.

The statement says that Coke provided certain services to the community, some arising out of Government contracts. For these projects , Coke, would deduct from the salaries a portion of funds as a contribution to the ‘system’. These funds were then used in illegal activities.

The document states that Coke also held treats and dances in the community and provided humanitarian services to community members on a needs basis in exchange for loyalty and goodwill.

The statement described Coke as a violent individual, who maintained a strict code of discipline and frequently ordered and participated in acts of violence against individuals who violated his code of conduct.

In one instance, shortly after the death of his brother Jah T, Coke approached an elder of the Shower Posse, known as “Stumbo” on Ebenezer Lane in West Kingston. Coke asked “Stumbo” if he was with or against him. Stumbo appeared hesitant. Coke then fired a handgun over Stumbo’s head and shortly after Stumbo agreed to support Dudus.

Coke is also described as keeping an army of 200 gunmen loyal to him. These gunmen ranged in ages from 14 to 40 years. These men were paid as enforcers.

The document also says that these “Shotters” were deployed to campaign on behalf of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

These “Shotters” went door to door in different areas using intimidation at times to ensure Jamaicans voted JLP.

The cooperating witness also detailed an incident in which an enforcer known as Screbeng committed a robbery without Coke’s permission. In the robbery Screbeng lost a firearm issued by the Shower Posse organisation. After the robbery, Coke spoke to Screbeng giving him a number of days to recover the firearm. Coke said Screbeng would have been killed immediately if it wasn’t for his past actions in freeing another gunman from police custody in the Kingston Public Hospital. Screbeng, however, did not accede to Coke’s request and was subsequently shot and killed in his home in Denham Town.

The statement also spoke to Coke ordering thugs to shoot up Maxfield Avenue, him ordering the murder of parents of men who did not send money from the US to fund his gun operations and Coke also participating in the shooting of a troublesome enforcer who had developed a crack cocaine and stealing habit.

Coke is also described as having an affinity for guns and ensured he had “heavy machinery”. The document said that Coke favoured an assault rifle manufactured by HK which uses 7.62 millimeter rounds.

According to the informant, Coke referred to the gun as the “Bomber”.

For handguns, Coke reportedly favoured the Glock and the Desert Eagle, but said that the Desert Eagle was too big to carry around.

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