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West Kingston Enquiry: 'Dudus' forced artistes to perform for free - Police

Published:Tuesday | May 26, 2015 | 12:00 AMLivern Barrett, Gleaner Writer

A high-ranking member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has indicated that some of the country's top entertainers were coerced by drug kingpin Christopher 'Dudus' Coke to perform free of cost at a reggae show he organised for several years.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Glenmore Hinds, also indicated that large corporate entities were coerced to provide sponsorship for the show, known as 'Champions in Action'.

"Major artistes would have to give their performance free of cost, " Hinds testified as the West Kingston Commission of Enquiry resumed at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston.

"Our intelligence tells us that these persons had to give their services pro bono," the senior cop said.

He said proceeds from the show were doled out to residents in the west Kingston community.