Jamaica to extradite drug suspect wanted by US

Jamaica's prime minister says he will approve the extradition of a powerful community leader wanted in the United States on drug and arms trafficking charges.

The reversal Monday by Prime Minister Bruce Golding ends a nine-month standoff over Christopher "Dudus" Coke that has strained the Caribbean nation's relations with Washington.

Coke is alleged to control a band of gunmen in a west Kingston neighborhood that Golding represents in parliament. Some observers say any attempt to arrest him could spark violence across Jamaica.

Golding had led opposition to Coke's extradition in a campaign that threatened his political career. The governing party rejected calls for him to resign after a high-level weekend conference.