Portmore Empire artiste Blak Ryno was among at least 30 men who were detained by the police while at Gaza Link-Up, a party held at the Blitz Nightclub in Ocho Rios, St Ann, on Saturday.

Two men, said to be promoters of the party, were also held have been in custody since then as police say they are persons of interest.

THE STAR learnt that in the wee-hours of the morning while the party was in full swing, police and soldiers swooped down on the newly opened venue, ordering an end to the music and patrons to go outside.

Everyone was then searched and those who could not provide proper identification for themselves were detained and taken to the grounds of the Mobile Reserve in Kingston where they were processed.

The club was also searched.

"Di party a gwaan and bout 3:30 a.m., whole heap a police jus come in a seh di music fi lock off ... . Police and soldier surround di building and tell everybody fi leave ... who neva have nuh propa ID did haffi go pan di truck," a disc jockey who was at the party recounted.

Head of the Portmore Empire, deejay Vybz Kartel, was slated to perform at the party, but had not reached the venue when the police arrived.

questionable character

Checks by THE STAR found that the raid was spearheaded by the Joint Task Force which is attached to the Mobile Reserve division.

Superintendent Radcliffe Lewis of the Joint Task Force confirmed the raid and said the police had received information that men of questionable character would be present and as such the operation was planned.

"Yes, we held Blak Ryno and he was taken to Kingston and he was questioned and released," Superintendent Lewis said.

In addition to men from Ocho Rios and Portmore in St Catherine, others from Tivoli Gardens in west Kingston, Hundred Lane (a community off Red Hills Road, St Andrew), and Golden Spring, also in St Andrew, were detained.

Superintendent Lewis said the detainees made it clear that they were supporters of deejay Vybz Kartel.

"During their interview, we found that they are all fans and supporters of Vybz Kartel."

After questioning, police personnel from the men's respective areas were called in and the men were further processed.

According to Superintendent Lewis, the two men who are still in custody are to be further questioned.

"Those men are from Parry Town in Ocho Rios and they are persons of interest to the police."

Meanwhile, the police say raids such as this is part of a new strategy. They said parties that attract huge crowds will be raided more frequently.

"Dances of these magnitudes attract gunmen, so we will be carrying out more raids," Superintendent Lewis told THE STAR.