Jamaica declares emergency amid drug violence

KINGSTON - Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding declared a state of emergency in parts of the capital Kingston and outlying St. Andrew in response to street battles in barricaded slums, media reports from the Caribbean islands said.

The unrest was being blamed on supporters of accused drug kingpin Christopher “Dudus” Coke, whose arrest and extradition is being sought by justice officials in the US.

The emergency was declared in a meeting Sunday of Golding’s cabinet.

Police reportedly came under fire in parts of West Kingston, and a police station was set ablaze after being abandoned by besieged officers who had run out of ammunition.