Christopher 'Dudus' Coke

Guns continue to bark in West Kingston and other areas of the capital, where the state of emergency is declared.

Coke, who police are looking to arrest for extradition to the United States, is being protected by throngs of supporters who have mounted barricades in Tivoli Gardens.

Police have also confirmed that criminal elements from several garrison communities have merged in their bid to protect Coke.

Police Commissioner Owen Ellington said in a release that the police was aware of the joint criminal force and is preparing for counterattack.

The release stated: “Images of barricades, other defensive positions and the aforementioned unprovoked attacks together with credible intelligence indicate that scores of criminals from several gangs across the island have joined criminal elements in Tivoli Gardens. It is now clear that criminal elements are determined to launch coordinated attacks on the security forces.”

“The police are publicly calling on Christopher Coke, otherwise called 'Dudus,' 'Short Man,' and 'President,' to hand himself over,” a statement from the police said on Sunday.

The statement also referred to Coke as a coward. It said: “The security forces wish to make it very clear that they view the barricading as an act of cowardice on the part of selfish criminal elements, mainly Mr. Coke.”

Protesters, wearing all white on Thursday staged a peaceful march outside a police station expressing their willingness to die for Dudus, who many say send their kids to school and is responsible for keeping the peace in the community. On placard read: “No Dudus, No Jamaica”.