Jamaica declares emergency after attacks on police

KINGSTON - Jamaica has declared a state of emergency in the capital city of Kingston after masked gunmen attacked a police station and exchanged fire with security forces, reports said.

Sunday’s attacks were allegedly conducted by suspected supporters of a drug lord who faced extradition to the US, sources said. At least one policeman was injured in the attack.

Gunshots and black smoke were seen from a police station in West Kingston district after the attacks, Xinhua reported Monday.

The standoff revolves around attempts by the US to extradite drug kingpin Christopher “Dudus” Coke. Last year, COke was charged with conspiracy to distribute marijuana and cocaine and with conspiracy to illegally traffic in firearms in US federal court.

Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding said citizens should “allow the courts to deal with the extradition matter,” CNN reported quoting a statement from state-run Jamaica Information Service.