Jamaican security forces were bracing for more violence Tuesday night after they arrested Christopher "Dudus" Coke, a politically connected gang leader who had been at the center of a monthlong manhunt.
Wanted in the United States on drug and weapons charges, Coke had managed to elude capture since May 23, when police swarmed his West Kingston stronghold. The ensuing clash killed 73 civilians and gang members. Three security officers also died.
On Tuesday, Police Commissioner Owen Ellington said Coke was detained at about 4 p.m. in St. Catherine parish and taken from a Spanish Town police station to a secure location.
In a news release, Ellington said the police were acting "on intelligence" and that Coke was in good health.
"I would like to appeal to the family, friends and sympathizers of Christopher Coke to remain calm and to allow the law to take its course," Ellington said at a news conference. "We would also like to reassure the country that we will continue our efforts to defeat organized crime and restore law and order."
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