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CHAPTER 2
BACKGROUND TO THE COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY
2.1.
On 24 May 2010, approximately 800 soldiers of the Jamaica
Defence Force (JDF) and 370 police officers of the Jamaica Constabulary Force
(JCF) carried out an operation, referred to by the security forces as “an internal
security operation”, in West Kingston. Although it was a joint operation, each of
the Forces had developed its own plan. The JDF’s plan was code-named
“Operation Garden Parish” whereas that of the JCF was code-named “Operation
Keywest”.
2.2.
The internal security operation was focused particularly on Tivoli
Gardens and its purposes, according to the JCF, were –
(a) to execute a warrant of arrest on Christopher “Dudus” Coke
(Coke) pursuant to a request for his extradition by the
Government of the U.S.A. (USG);
(b) to capture and arrest other wanted men and “persons of interest”;
(c) to recover illegal arms, ammunition and illegal drugs;
(d) to restore normality to the community and shape an environment
for community policing.
2.3.
Many civilian witnesses who testified at the Commission of Enquiry
described the operation as “an incursion”. However that may be, the operation
resulted in substantial loss of life, physical injuries to residents of West Kingston,
members of the two forces (the security forces), and widespread loss and
damage to moveable and immoveable property.