Police Meet with Kartel, Ryno - Artistes Urged to Keep the Peace

After weeks of disruptive behaviour, deejays Vybz Kartel and Blak Ryno met with local authorities to discuss their rumoured tension.

Sources from the St Andrew North police told THE STAR that the artistes visited the Constant Spring Police Station on Tuesday where they spoke about issues which were of major concern. Among these was the rumoured tension between the two that are believed to to have spiralled into violent incidents.

When contacted, Kartel made it clear that there was no 'war' going on between himself and his former protégé, Blak Ryno. When asked about what was discussed in the meeting he said, "Nothing of any significance or importance to the country's welfare or well being. We didn't discuss corruption, etc."

Deputy Superintendent Altermoth 'Parro' Campbell, Crime Chief for the division told THE STAR that the men were urged to conform with law and order and keep the peace. DSP Campbell said they both agreed to comply.

The Crime Chief elaborated, "We met with them and discussed issues which were causing problems in some divisions. There are some incidents which are said to be caused by the situation between them. Incidents of reprisals and so on. They say they are willing to cooperate with the police."

This meeting comes in light of a series of incidences that have taken place since deejay Blak Ryno's announcement that he was leaving the Vybz Kartel-led Portmore Empire two weeks ago. Ryno had been a member of the Empire since January of 2007 where he was officially signed to Kartel's Adidjaheim Records. Ryno was the latest in a crew of persons to have left the Empire including Gaza Kim, known now as Kym and Lisa Hyper.

On Thursday of last week, deejay Popcaan, Kartel's new protégé in the Portmore Empire, was one of several men reportedly detained during a police operation at a studio in Havendale, St Andrew.

The detention of Popcaan and Vybz Kartel's visit to the station come a day after Blak Ryno's Winchester Court Apartment in St Andrew was destroyed by fire. The cause of that fire is still not known but it is rumoured that the apartment was firebombed.

When contacted last week, Superintendent Derrick 'Cowboy' Knight, Head of the St Andrew Central police said "We would not have received word on the cause of the fire yet ... . The fire people would still be doing their investigations."