Reputed Jamaican Drug Lord Surrenders to Police, Reports Say

KINGSTON, Jamaica -- Reputed gang leader Christopher "Dudus" Coke, who eluded a bloody police offensive in his slum stronghold last month, surrendered to authorities outside Jamaica's capital Tuesday, local news media reported.

Coke has been called one of the world's most dangerous drug lords by U.S. authorities and faces trial in New York on drug and arms trafficking charges. One Jamaican newspaper said he was prepared to waive his right to an extradition hearing.

His surrender came nearly a month after 76 people were killed during a four-day assault by Jamaican police and soldiers on the West Kingston slum of Tivoli Gardens, which is Coke's base.

Also known as "President" to the people of his slum, Coke served as community leader and enforcer in the gritty neighborhood in an area that the government acknowledges it has long neglected.

The Jamaica Observer said Coke walked into a police station in St. Catherine parish Tuesday afternoon accompanied by the Rev. Al Miller, an evangelical preacher who facilitated the surrender of the fugitive's brother earlier this month.

The Spanish Town police station where Coke was reported being held was surrounded by heavily armed security forces.

Miller and police commanders did not immediately respond to calls from The Associated Press.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding, whose Jamaica Labor Party has long counted on the support of gunmen inside Coke's Tivoli Gardens slum, opposed the extradition request for nine months before reversing himself under growing public pressure that threatened his political career.

Coke is wanted in New York on charges that he trafficked cocaine and marijuana as well as weapons between his Caribbean island and the United States.

In recent days, Jamaica's government had offered a $60,000 reward for information leading to Coke's arrest.