Jamaica Now Investigating Popcaan’s Detention In The UK After PM Holness Was Called Upon

Yardhype Staff WriterJuly 6, 2022

Kamina Johnson-Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade has advised that the Government of Jamaica did not request to have popular Dancehall entertainer Popcaan detained in the United Kingdom (UK).

Well-known artiste manager, Shelly-Ann Curran directed a post to Minister Johnson-Smith on Twitter, questioning the reason why the GoJ would instruct the UK to detain the entertainer. However, this allegation was quickly refuted by the Minister, who responded to say that “there are many reasons to why a traveller may be detained”, whilst alluding that a request from the GoJ, in this case, is not one of them.

The Minister also indicated that the High Commission was asked to investigate the matter as soon as possible and an update will be provided once this is complete.

See the Twitter post below:

Dear @ShellyCurran The Govt of JA has not requested that @popcaanmusic be detained, but there are many reasons why a traveller may be detained. I have asked the High Commission to enquiry into the matter as early as they are able, so that they may advise. https://t.co/bC6xf6Dn9e
— Hon. Kamina J Smith (@kaminajsmith) July 6, 2022

Popcaan whose real name is Andre Sutherland appealed to Prime Minister Andrew Holness on Tuesday, July 5, in a video clip shared on his Instagram page.

In this, the Unruly entertainer waved a white paper in his hand whilst disclosing that he was being held in the UK based on “information sent by my country that I should be stopped every time I’m here”. He then went on to question the reason for this and said “Mr. Prime Minister of Jamaica, I would like to draw your attention to this once again”.

Similarly, in January of this year, Popcaan shared on social media that he was detained by the UK and claimed that the reason for this was because of information sent by Jamaica advising them that he was a gang leader and had been charged with a firearm.