"Search homes of politicians and the wealthy for Dudus," says Renatto Adams...

RETIRED tough cop Reneto Adams is urging the police not to rule out searching the homes of politicians affiliated with the Jamaica Labour Party and individuals who he termed "society people" in their effort to nab alleged narcotic and gun fugitive Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.

Coke, who has been on the run since last Monday when the security forces launched a massive operation in his Tivoli Gardens power base to apprehend him and restore order to the community, is wanted in the US on drug- and gun-running charges.

The operation resulted in the deaths of 73 civilians and a member of the Jamaica Defence Force as gunmen loyal to Coke engaged soldiers and police in fierce gunbattles over two days.

The controversial former senior superintendent Adams, who was speaking last Thursday at a Rotary Club of Kingston luncheon at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston said that "based on his intelligence and experience", Coke could be taking refuge at the homes of either politicians or influential persons within the society.

"I must tell you, maybe, and I believe that this is why they have not found this man, but this is my intelligence and this is what I know -- and I know it because I served the Jamaica Constabulary Force for 41 years -- where this man may be hiding," Adams began.

"[He may be hiding] at the house of the politicians, the house of certain people in society and there is a particular house that I have great respect for that I will not mention but a word to the wise is sufficient," Adams added.

His comments came as the security forces intensified their effort to capture Coke by widening their search to the more affluent neighbourhoods of St Andrew.

But this intensified effort resulted in tragedy last Thursday when Keith Clarke, the brother of former Government minister Claude Clarke and a relative of children's advocate Mary Clarke, was shot dead at his Kirkland Heights home around 2:00 am.

Four soldiers were shot and injured in that operation which residents said was marked by sustained, and sometimes sporadic, gunfire for near two hours.

The security forces were acting on intelligence that Coke was in the area. But residents said they went to the wrong house.

Last Thursday, the outspoken Adams -- who was warmly received by Rotarians -- blamed corrupt politicians for the ills currently plaguing the society.

"I have seen over the years where politics and politicians made it their duty to destroy the integrity of the country and its people," said Adams.