1:00pm UK, Thursday September 01, 2011
Alleged Jamaican drug lord Christopher 'Dudus' Coke has pleaded guilty in a court in New York to racketeering and conspiracy charges.
Coke at the time of his arrest in June last year
Coke, 43, who is accused of heading a huge criminal enterprise, is expected to be sentenced in December.
He faces up to 20 years in prison as well as a fine of up to $250,000 (£155,000).
"For nearly two decades, Christopher Coke led a ruthless criminal enterprise that used fear, force and intimidation to support its drug and arms trafficking 'businesses,'" New York prosecutor Preet Bharara said in a statement.
"He moved drugs and guns between Jamaica and the United States with impunity. Today's plea is a welcome conclusion to this ugly chapter of criminal history."
Tight security in Kingston, Jamaica, after Coke's capture
Coke was extradited to the US in June last year after an almost week-long battle in the Jamaican capital, Kingston, between troops and his supporters in which 73 people died.
The fighting led to a state of emergency being declared in the centre of Kingston, with many people trapped in their homes without food and water as the gun battles raged.
Despite being vilified by authorities, Coke had a big following in the city.
He was seen by many residents as a Robin Hood figure who offered security and jobs on some of the world's toughest streets.
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