US, Jamaica still tight

Gov'ts hand in hand despite stand-off over 'Dudus'

The United States government is reporting that the relationship between Washington and Kingston remains strong despite the almost yearlong stand-off over the extradition request for alleged drug lord Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.

"Cooperation between the GOJ (Government of Jamaica) and the United States Government (USG) in efforts to curb narcotics and related transnational crime remains strong overall," the US State Department said in the 2011 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) released yesterday.

"The 1991 extradition treaty between the USG and the GOJ is actively and successfully used by the USG to extradite suspected criminals from Jamaica.

"Extradition requests are normally processed in a routine and timely manner by Jamaican political and judicial authorities," the report added.

But it noted that the 2009 request for the extradition of alleged drug and firearms trafficker, Coke, languished for nine months before the attorney general signed the authority to proceed with his arrest.

Coke in custody

Coke was wanted in the United States on drug and firearms trafficking charges. He is now in custody awaiting trial.

According to the INCSR, 15 fugitives wanted in the US were arrested in Jamaica last year, with 10 extradited to the US.

In addition, US marshals based in Kingston opened 77 new cases and closed 88 involving fugitives from the American justice system.

But the report noted that Coke was the only high-profile fugitive to be extradited.

"The Jamaica Fugitive Apprehension Team received specialised training, equipment, guidance, and operational support from the US marshals permanently stationed in Kingston," added the report.

It further charged that Jamaica remains on the world's leading illicit drug-producing and/or drug-transit countries with other nations such as The Bahamas, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Honduras, and Venezuela.

But the report charged that while the Jamaican Government does not facilitate the production or distribution of illegal drugs, corruption of public officials remains a major problem in the fight against the drug trade.

"Corruption undermines efforts against drug and other major crimes and is a major factor in allowing the passage of drugs and drug proceeds through Jamaica."