KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC A US military plane has landed at the Norman Manley International Airport fueling speculation that the security forces here have finalized plans to capture Christopher Dudus Coke who is wanted by the United States on drugs and weapons charges.

Coke, 41, is a major supporter of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the reputed leader of the Shower Posse gang, one of the most notorious criminal organisations in the Western Hemisphere.

United States law enforcement authorities had requested Cokes extradition since August last year, saying that he had been under surveillance since 1994.

They said so far nine co-conspirators have given information on Coke's alleged involvement in drug and gun-trafficking.

But Coke has failed to surrender to the authorities and is believed to be at a safe house in Tivoli Gardens in the JLP stronghold of West Kingston.

Residents of Tivoli Gardens have mounted barricades to block the security forces from entering the community.

On Friday the police high command issued two warnings to the residents that it was a breach of the law to erect the barricades.

Commentators have said that the warnings could be a sign that the security forces were moving to execute a warrant to arrest Coke.

The Government had in the past defended its decision not to extradite Coke, stating that it would not act hastily and violate the extradition treaty between Jamaica and the United States.

There had been mounting calls for the Prime Minister Bruce Goldings resignation following his admission in Parliament last week that he knew of attempts by the US-based law firm, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, to lobby the United States government to drop its request to extradite Coke, who faces life imprisonment if convicted on the charges.

Earlier this week, Golding, who asked for forgiveness over the entire matter, said he would not be stepping down as a result of the issue.

Golding acknowledged that he had sanctioned persons in the ruling JLP to approach the law firm knowing that such interventions have in the past proven to be of considerable value in dealing with issues involving the governments of both countries.

I made it absolutely, unmistakably clear, however, that this was an initiative to be undertaken by the party, not by or on behalf of the Government," Golding said.

-- Edited by SLICE BREAD on Sunday 23rd of May 2010 06:05:59 PM