The United States requested Coke’s extradition in August last year but Jamaica initially refused, alleging that evidence against Coke had been gathered through illegal wiretaps.
In its annual narcotics control strategy report in March, the State Department said Coke’s well-known ties to Jamaica’s ruling party highlighted “the potential depth of corruption in the government.”
Officials said the violence has had no impact so far on the island’s bauxite, sugar and banana producing sectors.
