SECTOR leaders yesterday hailed the arrest of fugitive Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, calling the apprehension a positive step in the State's battle against criminal elements within the society.

The leaders -- some of whom were vocal when the Government's stalled the extradition process against Coke who is wanted in the United State on drug-and gun-running charges -- also praised the way in which the security forces conducted their search for Coke who managed to elude them for four weeks.

"I'm very pleased that he has been caught, and I'm even more pleased that he has been brought in alive. It speaks well of the security forces and now he can face whatever legal measure that he choses to follow. We would have a lot more to answer for if it had gone the other way," Wayne Cummings, president of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, told the Observer.

Still, Cummings said Coke's arrest was just a part of the move to rid the country of criminality.

"It is now beyond Mr Coke as it is now a bigger issue of crime, criminality and how we want to lead our country going forward. I believe that those are the bigger issues and we need to pay attention to those core issues," Cummings said.

His sentiment was shared by Milton Samuda, president of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce.

"I think it is certainly a welcome development in the unfolding of the anti-crime initiative. ...The apprehension in of itself is a very important achievement on the part of law enforcement," said Samuda.

Meanwhile, Joseph Matalon, who heads the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica said Coke's apprehension will now free up the security forces to focus on the extended state of emergency in Kingston and St Andrew and the imposition of a state of emergency on St Catherine.

"I'm glad that this aspect of the saga is over," said Matalon.

Coke's was apprehended yesterday afternoon along the Mandela Highway while reportedly heading to the US Embassy in Kingston with Rev Al Miller.

His arrest brought to an end to the four-week hunt for by members of the security forces. He had been on the run since May 24, when members of the security forces went into Tivoli Gardens, his former stronghold, to serve an arrest warrant on him and restore law and order in the West Kingston community.