Jamaica plans island-wide assault on drug gangs

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KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — Jamaica’s prime minister says the government will launch a sustained assault on gangs that control poor communities across the island.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding says the bloody raid last week on the West Kingston stronghold of reputed drug lord Christopher “Dudus” Coke was the beginning of a new effort to dismantle criminal networks.

He told parliament on Tuesday that he could not say when or where the operations will begin because of security concerns.

The raid by police and soldiers hunting for Coke triggered four days of street battles that killed 73 civilians and three security officers.

Coke is wanted by the United States to face weapons and drug trafficking charges. He remains at large.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.