The death toll in Jamaica has surged to 44 as government authorities and the residents of a west Kingston neighborhood continue to exchange gunfire in the streets, the Jamaica Observer reported on Wednesday.

Beginning on Monday, the Jamaican army, along with police officers, descended upon the Tivoli Gardens neighborhood to weed out suspected drug kingpin Christopher “Dudus” Coke in an attempt to oblige an extradition request made by the US government last year (one that had been stalled by Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding, because of the alleged illegality of the US’ obtainment of evidence against Coke).  The US government has accused Coke of operating a multinational drug and firearms syndicate in major cities throughout the US (he is wanted in New York), the proceeds of which are supposedly shipped back to Coke’s headquarters in Kingston. However, in Tivoli Gardens – and much of Kingston – Coke is highly revered among civilians, and thought of as a philanthropist (he has built health clinics, paid for the educations of neighborhood children, and he is known to provide the hungry with food).  Moreover, he has a fiercely loyal posse that has vowed to fight to the death in his defense.

The violence began on Sunday, when Coke’s supporters reportedly attacked a Kingston police station and exchanged gunfire with officers.

Since then, there are reports that the authorities have gone door to door in Tivoli Gardens looking for Coke.  What’s more, accusations of police brutality and excessive force have also arisen in the height of what is now an official state of emergency. Citizens also claim that authorities have failed to retrieve the corpses of three persons that perished in a fire started by a gangmembers. The bodies have been rotting for three days now.

Much of the violence happened between Sunday and Tuesday, and by Wednesday, the streets were relatively quiet; however, as it stands, Coke is still at large.

Below are some accounts of the violence that has gripped the capitol since Sunday.

May 23, 2010; 3:08 PM

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   lauraredpath State of emergency starts at 6pm tonight for Kingston and St. Andrew. 23 May 2010 from Twitter for BlackBerry®

May 23, 2010; 3:17 PM

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   ChrysalisCEO Hannah Town Police station is now on fire it was set blaze moments ago….(RT @876radio_com) #jamaica 23 May 2010 from UberTwitter

May 23, 2010; 6:40 PM

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   crharley Gunshots firing in the Red Hills road area 24 May 2010 from Twitter for BlackBerry®

May 24, 2010; 3:17 PM

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   lauraredpath RJR says 5 police officers shot on Maxfield Ave in #Jamaica 24 May 2010 from web

May 24, 2010; 4:14 PM

1. 
   ShanMacLovin Prayin to wake up 4m this dream…I mean nightmare…all those casualties ( 24 May 2010 from Twitter for BlackBerry®

May 24, 2010; 4:46 PM

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   KyleMacpherson_ @onthegroundjm Can still see clouds of black smoke in the distance, and hear numerous gunshots, from New Kingston. #jamaica 24 May 2010 from TweetDeck

May 25, 2010; 6:30 AM

1. 
   KyleMacpherson_ Confirmed? Residents near Denham Town are being fired upon by security forces when they attempt to go outside? Something don’t sound right. 25 May 2010 from TweetDeck

May 25, 2010; 12:32 PM

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   lauraredpath Gunshots being fired quickly in #Tivoli. Shots heard from North St. in #Jamaica. 25 May 2010 from Twitter for BlackBerry®

May 26, 2010; (confirmed time not available)

1. 
   lauraredpath Casualties in Tivoli Gardens now at 44 according to Gleaner/Power 106 #Tivoli #Jamaica 26 May 2010 from web

May 26, 2010; (confirmed time not available)

1. 
   KyleMacpherson_ Schools except for those in affected areas in downtown Kingston will reopen tomorrow. #kingston #jamaica 26 May 2010 from Twitter for BlackBerry®

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