Cops wary of Tivoli anniversary disruptions

The Kingston Western police say there are indications that persons close to ousted Tivoli Gardens strongman Christopher 'Dudus' Coke were planning to "disrupt the peace" in the community to coincide with the one-year anniversary of the Tivoli Gardens incursion.

This concern, according to Senior Superintendent Terrence Bent, who heads the Kingston Western Police Division, triggered the decision at the weekend to release a list of 12 persons of interest.

"We had received certain intelligence that some persons of influence in the community had planned to disrupt the peaceful environment during the period of the anniversary," Bent told The Gleaner.

"Of the 12 persons listed, 10 were of that particular classification," he added.

persons of interest

Among those listed as persons of interest were Coke's long-time girlfriend, Stephanie Gayle, better known as 'First Lady', and family members, Camille Coke, Michael Christopher Coke and Javein Jumel Coke.

They were asked to turn themselves in to the Denham Town Police Station by 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Bent said up to yesterday, 10 of the 12 had come in with their attorneys and have been questioned by detectives.

All but one, he said, have been released with a "stern warning" to maintain the peace during the anniversary of the incursion.

The person in custody is being held pending the outcome of investigations into other crimes committed in the division.

Yesterday marked the one-year anniversary of the police-military incursion into Tivoli Gardens to arrest Dudus.

Dudus managed to elude the security forces but the resulting gun battles with thugs loyal to him left some 73 civilians dead.

The accused drug kingpin was captured a month later and extradited to the United States after waiving his right to a hearing.