Authorities said on Tuesday that fugitive suspected drug lord Christopher 'Dudus' Coke has been arrested in Jamaica.

The Jamaica Observer has said that Coke was being held in St. Catherine after the Rev. Al Miller, pastor of the Fellowship Tabernacle Church, handed him over to authorities. Police have issued an appeal for Miller to turn himself in for questioning.

The newspaper also reported that Coke was prepared to waive his right to a hearing on extradition to the United States, where he faces prosecution on drug-trafficking and gun-running charges.

Police and the Jamaican military had initiated a joint operation in Kingston's Tivoli Gardens neighborhood May 23 to track down Coke. The raid set off three days of violence that left 70 people dead, including three members of the security forces.

According to the reports, Miller told a Jamaican radio station he was taking Coke to the U.S. Embassy when police pulled them over for a spot check and recognized Coke.

The Observer further reported that the police station where Coke is being held has been surrounded by police officers.

Jamaicans told a pollster this month that extradition to the United States would likely lead to a crime wave on his Kingston turf. Done for The Daily Gleaner, the poll indicated a majority of those surveyed would be happy to get rid of Coke, but 69 percent said they believe theft and rape are likely to rise in Tivoli Gardens once he is no longer around to protect the neighborhood.
(With Inputs from Agencies)