ttgapers.com

Alleged leader of the Shower Posse, Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, has waived his right to an extradition trial. Coke will be transported to the United States by 3 pm today to then answer drugs and gun running charges. Dudus was also served with a Restraint Order by Jamaican authorities, which in essence freezes all of his assets in Jamaica. After a month long manhunt Coke was arrested on Tuesday afternoon on the border of St. Andrew and St. Catherine.

Dudus arrived for the hearing wearing a blue and white striped shirt, Clarks shoes and grey jeans pants, gold chain and white undershirt. Nodding to reporters as he entered the courtroom about 9:55 am, Coke was escorted in without cuffs, accompanied by three policemen.

At a specially arranged court session inside a maximum security facility at the Mobile Reserve Headquarters at Harman Barracks on South Camp Road this morning at 10 am, Coke signed the document waiving his right to an extradition trial along with his lawyers George Soutar and Tom Tavares-Finson.

Soutar told the Court that Coke had made the decision on his own free will. He said he did so, even though he was confident that his case could have been successfully argued in the Jamaican courts. The hearing lasted for 15 minutes and Coke spoke softly when confirming he wanted to waive his rights.At the end of the hearing Tavares-Finson said that Coke asked to express appreciation to the police and soldiers who were involved in his capture on Tuesday evening for their professionalism.

Coke was then taken to a place called Red Fence on the Jamaica Defence Force Up Park Camp Headquarters where he will be held pending his extradition later today. Representatives for the United States were also present in court. The only other persons allowed were press and local law enforcement officials.

In a written statement released to the media through his lawyer Tom Tavares-Finson said Dudus took the decision to waive his rights for an extradition trial because of his family. The statement read, "I take this decision for I now believe it to be in the best interest of my family, the community of West Kingston and in particular the people of Tivoli and above all Jamaica."

Coke continued, "Pray for me and God bless Jamaica, I leave Jamaica and my family, in particular Patsy (mother Pauline 'Patsy' Halliburton), with a heavy heart, but fully confident that in due course I will be vindicated and returned to them."