Dancehall artiste detained in state of emergency

Up-and-coming dancehall artiste Squash, who hails from Montego Bay, has reportedly been in police custody for close to two months after he was detained in a spot check in Spanish Town, during the state of emergency in parts of St Catherine.

According to his management team, the artiste, whose given name is Andre Whittaker, is being detained after incorrectly being labelled as the leader of the infamous G City gang from St James.

Atto Wallace, a member of Squash's management team, told THE WEEKEND STAR: "He was on his way to a party and police pull them over. He was travelling with four other people in three cars. They told him that they were taking him in to do some checks."

Our news team understands that the entertainer often references the G City gang in his songs.

Wallace said: "They say he is the leader and part of it. Everything weh happen a MoBay or not them say a G City. They say he is the leader but it's not so."

NO CHARGES

THE WEEKEND STAR was told that no charges have been laid on Squash and that the others who were held with him were released last week.

Wallace said the artiste has been out of touch with MoBay, having relocated to Kingston a year ago to focus on music.

"He is just a deejay, him nuh inna nuh gang. Him just come from an environment where gangs are," Wallace said.

Squash's detention has reportedly resulted in loss of earnings after his management passed up on several offers including Reggae Sumfest.

Wallace said that the artiste's legal team is hoping he would be released soon.

THE WEEKEND STAR contacted public defender Arlene Harrison Henry to find out if she was aware of Squash's detention, however, calls to her phone went unanswered.

The area commander for St James and St Catherine North, Senior Superintendent Wilfred Campbell, and Senior Superintendent Beau Rigabie, respectively, could not be reached.

Several calls to their cell phones went unanswered.

Squash is known for songs like Lavish and School Days.