Authorities in Jamaica say Christopher "Dudus" Coke, the alleged drug lord wanted by the United States, has been captured.
Officials say Coke was taken into custody Tuesday in the parish of St. Catherine, which is on the outskirts of the Jamaican capital, Kingston. Media reports from the island say Coke's arrest was facilitated by a local preacher.
Coke is wanted by the United States for alleged cocaine and arms trafficking. U.S. officials sent an extradition request for Coke to the Jamaican government last August, but Prime Minister Bruce Golding initially refused to allow it to be processed, arguing that the evidence in it had been obtained illegally.
In response to criticism, Mr. Golding recently said Coke should be arrested and brought to court for a hearing.
Last month, soldiers and police in Kingston launched an operation for Coke. They raided the Tivoli Gardens slum where Coke has influence, in a failed effort to arrest him for extradition. At least 73 people were killed in resulting clashes with security forces.
Coke is the alleged leader of the "Shower Posse," named for the practice of showering rivals with bullets during the cocaine wars of the 1980s.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.