Hundreds held in hunt for drug kingpin

Jamaican security forces have claimed control of a Kingston slum in their hunt for an alleged druglord wanted by the US.

Dozens of civilians have been killed and more than 500 people arrested as police search for local don Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.

But the wanted man remains on the run, and authorities say it is unclear whether he has fled the capital - or even the country.

Calm has returned to much Kingston after a three-day assault, but bullets and the occasional body littered impoverished areas as soldiers continued their search.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding ordered an assault to capture Coke on Sunday after months of hesitation on an extradition request from the United States, which accuses Coke's 'Shower Posse' of funnelling drugs to the US East Coast.

Civilians, police killed

Golding has pledged to undo Kingston's reputation as one of the world's murder capitals but also ordered an inspection of conditions amid fears of a heavy toll on bystanders.

The public defender, Earl Witter, and ombudsman, Hero Blair, said they counted the bodies of 44 civilians after a tour of Coke's Tivoli Gardens stronghold.

Police had said Tuesday that 26 residents and one soldier were killed in the operation, though hospital staff spoke of dozens of bodies coming in.

Police have also reported the deaths of two policemen and several civilians in other parts of Kingston.

Vaz, the information minister, said that downtown businesses near the slum area would reopen on Thursday but schools would remain closed.

Police spokesman Karl Angell said security forces had seized control over all tall buildings in the area but were combing door to door to search for wanted criminals.

'Citizens' militia' claims

Some of the worst violence has taken place near the original headquarters of Studio One, among Kingston's most influential labels that has put out recordings by reggae legends Bob Marley and Lee 'Scratch' Perry.

Near the studio's padlocked door, a resident urged bystanders to get away.

"Calm here now, but gunfire here, gunfire there," he said, pointing in all directions.

The line between civilians and combatants blurred in the Tivoli Gardens violence.

Some describe the gunmen as a citizens' militia that enforces security in the neighborhood and, above all else, protects Coke.

But the violence-torn area also has the ear of political leaders.

'Indiscriminate' shootings

Both Golding and Kingston's mayor, Desmond McKenzie, represent Tivoli Gardens in elected office and Coke has supported their Jamaica Labour Party in the past.

McKenzie said he travelled to the affected area overnight and heard accusations of "harassment" by security forces, including indiscriminate shootings and destruction of personal property.

"These people have rights, too," McKenzie said on Jamaican television. "They are hungry. A lot have not had a proper meal since Sunday.

"What is on my mind is trying to get some comfort to them. I know the community is hurting and is upset with us," he added.

"It is going to take us some time to rebuild that trust and rebuild the confidence."

US praise for Jamaica

The Jamaican Red Cross, which accompanied officials on the earlier tour of Tivoli Gardens, said it would deliver food into the area to meet residents' needs.

But in a sign of humanitarian fears, the health ministry appealed for blood donations.

The ministry said supplies were at "critically low levels," but explained this was partially due to disruptions at hospitals rather than an urgent need for blood.

The US has staunchly supported the crackdown and refused to criticize Golding, whom the opposition charges could have moved in months ago to seize erstwhile supporter Coke and avert the crisis.

In Washington, State Department spokesman Philip Crowley praised the "bold steps" taken by Jamaica.

"We certainly support the efforts of the government of Jamaica to strengthen the rule of law and arrest Christopher Coke," Crowley said.