Jamaica offers reward for tips leading to arrest of reputed drug lord

Reward offered for Jamaica fugitive’s capture

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica is offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a reputed drug lord at the center of a bloody manhunt.

Christopher “Dudus” Coke is Jamaica’s most-wanted fugitive. He is being sought on U.S. drug- and arms-trafficking charges and federal authorities there call him one of the world’s most dangerous drug kingpins.

Jamaican security forces offered the reward Tuesday, three weeks after launching a four-day assault on Coke’s West Kingston stronghold of Tivoli Gardens that left 73 civilians and three security officers dead.

Police commanders believe Coke remains in Jamaica and have initiated an islandwide strike on gangs that control poor communities.