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taking place. This evidence amply corroborated the oral and written evidence of
the witnesses who testified on behalf of the security forces.
FINDINGS
5.20.
Over a period of years preceding 2010, Coke’s strategy was
to amass an assortment of high-powered weapons for the purpose of
entrenching his position in Tivoli Gardens, using them against the
security forces if necessary and also against rival gangs. The
Intelligence community was diligent in gathering evidence of the
preparatory acts of gunmen that enabled the security forces to
strategise measures to counter the gunmen. The video evidence that
we saw left no doubt in our minds that the special arming of criminal
elements in Tivoli Gardens was no mere allegation. It was a fact of
frightening proportions.
5.21.
The armoury which Coke established or to which he had
access, was comprised of M16 and AK47 rifles, handguns, grenades, at
least one .50 calibre Grizzly sniper rifle and a large quantity of
ammunition. These rifles were no ordinary firearms. We accept the
evidence of Bishop Blair that never before in his life, had he seen so
many rifles as those he saw when he went to Tivoli Gardens to
encourage Coke to surrender peacefully.
5.22.
During the week immediately preceding the operation of
24 May 2010, and with the assistance of former soldiers and/or
persons knowledgeable in the methodology of urban warfare, a new
and singular dimension was operationalised. It consisted of the use of
sandbags to establish firing positions and as a buffer against the
ammunition of the security forces. The geographical area of Tivoli