Rygin King Has Been Detained By The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

Jamaican dancehall artiste Rygin King has been detained by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), becoming the third entertainer from the genre to face such action in recent times.

According to the Jamaica Gleaner, Rygin King, whose given name is Matthew Smith, was reportedly taken into custody in the United States on Monday. His detention has confirmed through listing on ICE’s official detainee database. Up to press time, no further details have been disclosed regarding the circumstances surrounding his arrest or his current legal status.

In 2024, King was arrested on July 8 and appeared in a New York court on July 12 in Queens. Police say he was reportedly found with a loaded handgun in a vehicle during the NYPD’s “One Less Gun” anti-violence campaign.

He pleaded not guilty to five weapon-related charges and was granted $5,000 bail, which he posted. His next appeared in court on August 1 that year. It is not known if he detention by ICE is related to the New York court case.

Five other individuals in the vehicle were also arrested and face similar charges, while the driver faces additional offenses, including unauthorized vehicle use and traffic violations.

The development adds to a growing list of Jamaican dancehall artistes encountering legal troubles overseas.

Last year, Squash, whose real name is Andrae Whittaker, was detained ICE and later sentenced on gun-related charges. Reports indicate that Squash pleaded guilty in connection with firearm offences.

Meanwhile, Chronic Law remains in custody at a detention facility in Florida. While full details of his case have not been widely disclosed, he is understood to still be undergoing immigration-related proceedings.