Ellington says no attempt was made to prosecute 'Dudus' in Jamaica

Former Police Commissioner Owen Ellington today conceded that the Jamaica police did not explore the possibility of filing criminal charges against convicted drug kingpin Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke.

Ellington also said the Jamaica Constabulary Force did not seek guidance from the Director of Public Prosecutions on whether Coke could have been arrested and charged locally for the same offences to which he pleaded guilty in the United States.

Coke who has pleaded guilty to racketeering charges in the US is now serving a 23-year prison sentence.

Testifying during cross-examination at he West Kingston Commission of Enquiry, the retired police commissioner acknowledged that entering into a conspiracy to export drugs out of Jamaica was an offence here, but insisted that he was not aware of the allegations against Coke.

Public hearings at the West Kingston Commission of Enquiry resumed today after several days of in-camera sittings.

The commission is looking into the May 2010 police-military operations aimed at arresting Coke in his west Kingston stronghold.