File - Vybz Kartel

A group of men found at a premises which was previously operated by Vybz Kartel as a studio at Kirk Avenue in Havendale, St Andrew, were taken to the Constant Spring Police Station for questioning yesterday.

A senior officer from the St Andrew North police told THE WEEKEND STAR that Vybz Kartel was among a number of men who were at the premises.

According to the source, among the group of men was one believed to be 'of interest' to the West Kingston police. That man was detained.

still being used

"I am not the one dealing with the issue but we are checking to see if the place is still being used as a studio because it was ordered to be shut down. A group of men were seen there one of whom is a man who is wanted by the West Kingston Police Division," the senior officer told THE WEEKEND STAR before promising to provide a further update as the investigations continue.

Vybz Kartel, however, was not taken in for questioning.

The St Andrew North police are now looking into possibilities that the premises is still being used as a studio despite last month's order from the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC) that it be shutdown.

Despite the police's investi-gations, Vybz Kartel told THE WEEKEND STAR that the pre-mises is no longer being operated in such a manner.

requesting closure

"There is no studio at Kirk Avenue, there is no equipment at the premises to facilitate recording, the equipment has been moved to another location," Kartel explained last night.

The studio was shut down last month after the police wrote to the KSAC requesting its closure.

Superintendent Newton Amos, head of operations for the Area Five police, said the police were seeking to have the studio shut down.

Amos said representatives of the KSAC afterwards reported that a permit was not granted for the studio.

"It is a residential area and noise and obstruction is something which has caught our attention," he said. The request was granted and the studio was ordered to be shut down even though Vybz Kartel, real name Adidjah Palmer, argued that the studio was not a disturbance to the Havendale community.

"The studio is situated way in the back of the property, two metal gates and 25 metres away from the road, and its a sound proof room as all studios are," the artiste reasoned.