The violent clash of authorities in 2010 between the Jamaican state and Tivoli

Gardens over the governments decision to arrest Christopher Coke for

extradition to the United States is a reflection of garrison politics. Discuss.

Not enough can be written or spoken about the garrison system in Jamaica. Our
slide into lawlessness, crime, social and political decay can be traced to the
advent of garrison politics. Unfortunately, our news media, churches, civic
organisations and security forces turned a blind eye, out of fear or indifference,
to the growth of this cancer that was slowly overwhelming us.

Garrisons became the bases for organised crime, extortion, gunrunning, drug
trafficking and murder under the cover of political protection. Gangs ruled by
fear and benevolence. They came with the gun in one hand and lunch money in
the other. Dons ruled with impunity and garrison citizens were dependent on
them for survival.

In October 2002, Jimmy Carter, former president of the United States, upon his
visit to the island, warned us that "Jamaica's garrison politics was a disgrace and
blight upon the country". We did not listen then and we are still not listening now.

Garrison politics is
"In Jamaica a political garrison is an area where at least 90% of the eligible votes
are cast for either the PNP or JLP. Those votes are usually secured by way of
coercion, intimidation (both implicit and explicit) or through bribery. Another
distinct characteristic of political garrisons is the refusal of many residents to pay
utility bills. There is minimal investment in the area by the established private
sector and whatever infrastructure is still standing is decayed and there is
usually an absence of civic pride.

One of the latest buzz phrases in Jamaica is dismantle political garrisons. This
is not new; it has been around for at least the last twenty (20) years. And based
on how long the country has been grappling with this monster- this intractable
dilemma, one could be excused if one were to assume that there is no clear cut
solution. But nothing could be further from the truth; the solution is as simple as
ABC.

The life blood of political garrisons is lawlessness. This is bred and fed by
criminals especially gunmen who have imposed themselves on the communities.
They intimidate the residents and forcefully take control. They are usually
aligned to either the PNP or JLP and serve as their enforcers. Contrary to what
many believe the incestuous relationship between politicians and criminal
gunmen is alive and well. However, the nature of the relationship has morphed
because most politicians no longer hand out guns to criminals. Criminal enforcers
now purchase their own guns from the proceeds of crime and violence and the
drug trade and community based contracts dons receive from politicians.

A Extradition Treaty was signed between the US and Jamaica on , Jun. 14, 1983

The history of politicians associating with known criminals is not new. Elections,
Violence and the Democratic Process in Jamaica: 1944-2007 quotes The Gleaner
of November 9, 1949 : "Men who should be considered to be of high dignity too
often appear in the company of persons known to be of evil reputation. The
election is being conducted in some quarters as if it cannot be won without the
support of criminals." When was this? Yes, 1949. We have been long at this game
and down this road!

Garison politics

The 2010 Kingston unrest, dubbed locally as the Tivoli Incursion, was an armed
conflict between the Shower Posse drug cartel and Jamaica's military and police
forces in Kingston. The conflict began on the 23 May 2010 as security forces
began searching for major drug lord Christopher "Dudus" Coke, after the United
States requested his extradition,and the leader of the criminal gang that
attacked several police stations. The violence, which largely took place over 24
25 May, killed at least 73 civilians and wounded at least 35 others.Four
soldiers/police were also killed and more than 500 arrests were made, as
Jamaican police and soldiers fought gunmen in the Tivoli Gardens district of
Kingston.

Much of the unrest happened in the constituency belonging to the then Prime
Minister of Jamaica, Bruce Golding, who said he was "taken aback" by its

scale.Golding has been described by the American Broadcasting Company (ABC)

as a "known criminal affiliate" of Coke, which Golding refuted as "extremely
offensive". Although the U.S. government considered Golding one of Coke's
associates, it said it supported the Jamaican government's attempt to capture
Coke.

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips and Christopher "Dudus" Coke extradition request[edit]
In a sitting of Parliament on 16 March 2010, Opposition member Dr. Peter Phillips
made reference to an alleged contractual arrangement between the Government
and a United States law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips to lobby the US
Government on a treaty dispute between the two countries that had arisen as a
result of the Jamaican Government refusing to sign the extradition request for
Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, who was wanted in the US on charges relating to
narcotics, arms and ammunition trafficking. The then Golding led Administration
refused to sign the extradition request on the claimed basis that the evidence
was obtained contrary to Jamaican laws. Golding denied claims that Manatt,
Phelps & Phillips was contracted to represent the Jamaican Government.

A US Justice Department filing under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA)
showed that Manatt, Phelps & Phillips had secured a contract worth US $400,000
to represent the Jamaican government in the treaty dispute. Karl Samuda,
Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, made a statement in which he
noted that unnamed members of the Jamaica Labour Party had approached
Harold Brady, to see whetherthrough his wide network of international contacts
he could assist in facilitating the opening of discussions between the US
authorities and the Government of Jamaica, and thereby seek to resolve what
had become a treaty dispute between the US and Jamaica. In a statement made
by Golding on 11 May 2010 in Parliament, he revealed that he had sanctioned
the initiative to lobby the US Government but that the initiative was to be
undertaken by the Jamaica Labour Party and not on behalf of the government.

Following his revelation, the Opposition People's National Party; its youth arm,
the PNPYO; and the National Democratic Movement called for his resignation as
Prime Minister. Manatt, Phelps & Phillips maintains that they were contracted on
behalf of the Jamaican Government through Harold C.W. Brady of Brady and Co
and have since severed ties with the Jamaican Government.

On 17 May 2010, in a televised address to the nation, Golding apologised to the

Jamaican people for his involvement in the Manatt affair. He stated that he was

prepared to step aside as Prime Minister and leader of the Party in a meeting of
the party executive. The executive rejected his offer and reassured their support
for his role as party leader and Prime Minister. In his statement, he outlined new
measures including assigning some of his portfolio responsibilities to other
government Ministers, and a renewed thrust to enact legislation for: the
impeachment of parliamentary members, term limits for the office of Prime
Minister and political party finance reform.He also confirmed that Attorney
General and Minister of Justice Dorothy Lightbourne will sign the authorisation for
the US authorities to commence the extradition case against Christopher Coke,

When prompted as to his whereabouts three days after the mission was
launched, police stated they did not know where Coke was.Coke was eventually
captured on 23 June, after initial rumours that Coke was attempting to surrender
to the United States. Kingston police arrested Coke on the outskirts of the city,
apparently while a local reverend, Reverend Al Miller, was helping negotiate his
surrender to the United States Embassy

Following the televised address, supporters of Christopher Coke began erecting

barricades to the entrances of the Tivoli Gardens Community. This continued for
several days as the security forces prepared to enter Tivoli Gardens to serve
Coke with the warrant for his arrest. The unrest started on 23 May 2010, when
gangsters assaulted four police stations in southwestern Kingston and managed
to loot and partially burn out one of the stations.[4][23] A second police station
was also later burnt down.[24]

Afterwards some 1,000 police and soldiers assaulted a public housing complex
occupied by heavily armed gangsters defending Christopher "Dudus" Coke,
considered one of the world's most dangerous drug lords,[25] who had been
indicted in the United States on drug and arms trafficking charges. Cartel
gunmen swarmed through West Kingston, battling police and soldiers, and
trapping civilians in their homes. The aim of the joint police-military operation
was to enter the community, with the objectives being to arrest Coke, clear the
blockades, restore law and order and recover illegal guns believed to be in the
community.

Coke has a heroic reputation in Kingston's slums. He has been likened to Robin
Hood because he has helped the community by handing out food, sending
children to school and building medical centers.

2425 May 2010[edit]

On the night of 24/25 May 2010, the Jamaican government declared a state of
emergency in the capital Kingston and in the parish of St Andrew to last for one
month[26] while gunmen were pursued by the security services.[27][28][29] May
24, 2010 was also a public holiday (Labour Day).

Security forces broke through barbed-wire barricades and fought their way into
the warren-like Tivoli Gardens neighborhood well into 24 May. While fighting
raged in Tivoli Gardens, gun battles spread to other volatile slums close to
Kingston.[25]

Tivoli was heavily fortified by gangsters in preparation for the inevitable

onslaught by the security forces. Molotov cocktail "factories" as well as storage
dumps for ammunition were created in various sections of the community to
provide quick supply to the gunmen besieging Tivoli.

Electrified barbed wires were used to block the main entrance to the community
along with old burnt out cars and sharp metal scraps and cement. These barriers
were further fortified by the use of IEDs made from cooking gas cylinders armed
with electronically detonated fuses. Manholes were uncovered and filled with
spikes and the roads were lined with hidden IEDs made from somatol explosives.

Recon operations by JDF helicopters showed well organised roadblocks made of

sandbags manned by 3-4 men armed with AK-47 and Molotov cocktails. Snipers
were also stationed on the roof to kill as many of the law men as possible before
they could start disassembling the barriers.

According to Colonel Rocky Meade the level of defensive work was becoming of a
very well organised militia. Ground report suggested that it took the soldiers 2
hours to advance a distance of 200 metres at the start of the operation, a
distance that usually takes 5 minutes.

A surveillance aircraft was seen flying over Kingston on 24 May, bearing

identifying marks that belonged to the United States Department of Homeland
Security.[30] The aircraft took live video of Tivoli Gardens, which was given to
Jamaican ground forces via U.S. law enforcement officers.[30] The aircraft was
identified as a Lockheed P-3 Orion.[30] The Jamaican government denied the

presence of the aircraft.[31] The denials were repeated by National Security

Minister Dwight Nelson after The New Yorker published an article on the raids in
Tivoli Gardens.[32] Prime minister Andrew Holness later admitted that an aircraft
from the United States had been involved in gathering information in the raids.
[33]

26 May[edit]
On 26 May, police stated that they had more than 500 people in custody.[5] The
civilian death toll was raised to 44.[5]

An independent assessment team said there were "appalling conditions" to be

seen in Tivoli Gardens as people were stuck in houses.[3] Lack of food, running
water and a surplus of visible bodily waste were reportedly problems faced by
many,[3] while dozens of children and toddlers were lost in Rasta City with one
wounded woman losing her 18-month-old son on the way to hospital.[3] Corpses
belonging to young men under the age of 30 were said to be lining the morgue.
[3] Prime Minister Golding said: "The government deeply regrets the loss of lives,
especially those of members of the security forces and innocent, law-abiding
citizens caught in the crossfire."[34]

Journalists were ordered to "keep back" by the military[3] while buildings were
burnt by cartel gunmen, and looting occurred.[35][36]

2728 May[edit]
On 27 May, police said they had located the corpses of 73 civilians.[2][37] Three
members of the security forces (2 JCF and 1 JDF) were reported dead.[38]

Journalists were permitted to view Tivoli Gardens for the first time since the
unrest began, meeting soldiers who described the "ongoing operation" and
residents who said "an atrocity took place [...] they are not showing you the
homes which have bodies and a lot of blood".[citation needed]

However, independent observers, such as Political Ombudsman Bishop Herro

Blair and Public Defender Earl Witter, who visited the community expressed
satisfaction with conditions. Residents were also quick to praise the conduct of
soldiers.[39]

By 28 May a total of 22 illegal firearms and 8,550 rounds of ammunition had

been seized from the area of operations.[40]

29 May[edit]
On 29 May it was reported that 58 members of the security forces had been
injured in the operation (30 soldiers and 28 policemen). While rumours persisted
that Coke had fled the island, the Police Commissioner Owen Ellington revealed
that the police had intelligence that Coke was still in Jamaica. Speaking further
on the operation, the head of communications of the Jamaica Defence Force,
Colonel Rocky Meade said of Coke's militia "They were very well-organised, they
knew what they were doing. We encountered very sophisticated defensive
layouts. The resistance was fierce and lasted for about 12 hours,". The security
forces presented a slide show and video footage from the operation showing
improvised explosive devices rigged to barricades, plastic explosives, shrapnel,
rifles and handguns recovered and men walking freely with firearms and using
binoculars from high-rise buildings in the community. The soldiers also reportedly
found that the explosive devices were attached by wires to remote devices which
led to houses in the community with one photograph showing the sprawled body
of a man posted at one of these remote control points and who was taken out by
a JDF sniper before he could trigger the device.[24] Up to the evening of the 29th
of May a total of 28 guns and 8,885 rounds of assorted ammunition were
recovered from West Kingston.[38][41]

The security forces also discovered a closed circuit television system inside
Coke's Presidential Click office which monitored all the entrances into Tivoli
Gardens. They also found large amounts of local and foreign currency in the
office.[24]

Referring to the persons who died during the firefight Commission Ellington said
that some of the men who died in the firefight were dressed like females at the
time they were killed and emphasised that the police had not interred any bodies
and said the badly decomposed corpses which were slated to be buried in the
May Pen cemetery have been removed to a facility with the capability to store
them until they are properly identified. Post-mortem examinations were to be
conducted on the 73 persons killed by the security forces on Monday, Tuesday
and Wednesday of next week and the photographs of the dead persons will be
posted on a billboard in Tivoli Gardens. There were two women among the dead,
one of whombased on the state of decomposition of the bodyappeared to
have been killed before the offensive started.[24]

30 May[edit]

On 30 May the last group of persons detained during the nearly week-long
operation were released.[42] Over 700 men were detained during the operation,
400 of whom had no address in Tivoli Gardens.[41] The police ended up
processing these men to determine if they were wanted by the police in other
divisions. These men were suspected to be members of other criminal networks
from across the island who had gone into Tivoli Gardens to lend support to
Christopher Coke. "They gave false names and they have no address in Tivoli
Gardens," reported Commissioner Ellington.[24] After processing most of the
approximately 700 persons were released, however more than 50 of these men
were wanted by the police for various crimes[41] and remained in custody,[42]
and a large number of them were listed as persons of interest and remained
under police watch.[41]

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Charles Scarlett rejected claims that the
detainees had been abused and denied basic amenities such as toilets. He said
that several interest groups, including the Red Cross, had been allowed to visit
the detention centres and expressed satisfaction with the measures that were in
place to deal with the persons detained.[42]

Meanwhile, an explosives expert, supported by other former members of the JCF

and JDF (who had been dismissed for varying reasons) and thugs loyal to Coke,
was suspected of masterminding the elaborate defensive systems established
around Tivoli Gardens prior the events of May 23. The elaborate defence network
included booby traps (such as LPG cylinders laced with explosives) and explosive
devices. Some which were similar to devices used in Afghanistan by the Taliban
and included bits of steel for maiming. Other explosive devices found included
Molotov cocktails. Supplementing these booby traps and explosives was an army
of thugs estimated to be over 400 strong and arriving from as far away as
Montego Bay, Claredon, St. Catherine and St. Thomas. Road blocks consisting of
old cars, scrap metal, crates, pallets, sandbags, barrels and discarded household
items also formed a part of the defensive systems. The more elaborate road
blocks consisted of sandbag-camouflaged concrete slabs with peepholes. The
high rise buildings in the neighbourhood were also prepared as lookout points
and signalling centres with truck tyres placed there and intended to be lit to
create smoke screens against possible helicopter assaults.[41]

Ultimately all of these defensive systems were overcome during the joint JCF/JDF
operation mounted in response to the attacks on police stations on May 23. At
the end of the violence a total of 14 police station stations had been attacked
including 2 which had been burnt to the ground.[41]

Ongoing searches for guns in the West Kingston area unearthed 8 more illegal
fireams (5 of which were discovered on May 29 and the other 3 (pistols)
discovered on May 30). This brought the total number of illegal weapons
retrieved up to 36 along with 9,241 rounds of assorted ammunition for use by
SLRs, AK-47s and M16s.[38]

Aftermath[edit]
Vote of no confidence in the government; Gun count rises[edit]
Following the revelation that Prime Minister Golding had sanctioned the initiative
for the Jamaica Labour Party to hire US lobbying firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips
and his handling of the extradition request for Christopher "Dudus" Coke,
members and groups of civil society, church groups and political parties called
for his resignation. With the backing of his party, the Prime Minister maintained
that he would continue his term as Prime Minister. This prompted the opposition
People's National Party to table a motion of no confidence.[43][44][45] The
opposition leader, Portia Simpson-Miller, led the debate in Parliament outlining
the arguments for Golding's removal from office and moving that he be
censured. The debate lasted for four hours on June 1, 2010, and at the end the
motion was defeated 3028, with members of the House of Representatives
voting strictly on party lines.

By May 31, a total of 40 firearms and more than 9,200 rounds of assorted
ammunition had been discovered in the ongoing secondary searches conducted
by the security forces with 12 weapons having been discovered around May 29
to May 30 and an additional 7 weapons being found between May 30 and May
31. The latest discovery (of 7 guns) had been made among debris in garbage
trucks leaving the Tivoli Gardens community.[46]

In explaining the difficulties faced in recovering illegal weapons in the area,

Commissioner Ellington noted that many of the thugs who were shooting at
members of the security forces were themselves hit from distances of over 300
yards. Thus there would be ample time for some residents to retrieve weapons
from the slain gunmen as the members of the security forces themselves would
have to proceed with caution before attempting to retrieve those firearms after
hitting the gunmen.[46]

The Police Commissioner also voiced his doubts about whether or not all the
bodies recovered in West Kingston were of persons killed during the security
forces' operations as the advanced state of decomposition led him to believe

that some of them may have been killed prior to the security forces entering
Tivoli Gardens.[46]

On June 3, two more firearms were recovered in Tivoli Gardens, bringing to the
total number of guns recovered to 52 along with over 10,000 rounds of assorted
ammunition.[47]

Capture of Coke; Gun count continues to rise[edit]

Coke was arrested on June 22, 2010 at a police roadblock near the outskirts of
Kingston. He had been trying to reach the US Embassy to surrender himself.
Reverend Al Miller, an influential evangelical priest who tried to facilitate the
surrender, was interrogated by police, stated that Coke had decided to give
himself up, but had feared he would be killed if he surrendered directly to police
and decided to give himself up at the Embassy instead, and claimed to have
been asked for aid by Coke. Coke was reportedly disguised as a woman when he
was arrested.[48]

Two days after Coke's capture, the security forces found more guns and
ammunition in Tivoli Gardens, bringing the total number of guns recovered to 88
with over 14,000 rounds of ammunition also recovered.[49] These illegal guns
included over 40 pistols and 45 rifles/shotguns ranging from sub-machine guns
and the Chinese version of the AK47, to the .22 pistol. The recovered ammunition
included a wide assortment such as 7.62mm, and 5.56mm rounds for rifles, to
9mm rounds which can be used in handguns and submachine guns. In addition
to guns and ammunition the security forces also recovered 19 grenades, 32
improvised explosive devices (IED) and 34 "other forms of explosives".[50]

Extradition of Coke[edit]

Coke being taken into custody by DEA agents following his arrival in the United
States
In a 15-minute hearing, Coke waived his right to an extradition trial before a
judge. The hearing took place under heavy security at a military outpost in
Kingston, due to fears of possible attacks by supporters. Coke was then taken to
Norman Manley International Airport by a military helicopter, transferred to a US
aircraft, and flown to New York, where he was taken into custody by DEA agents.
[51]

In 2011, Coke pleaded guilty to racketeering and drug-related charges in a New

York Federal court, and was sentenced to 23 years in prison on June 8, 2012.