Jamaican dancehall artiste Squash has once again found himself on the wrong side of the law in Florida, this time facing multiple gun-related charges. The Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that the entertainer, born Andrae Whittaker, was arrested on Tuesday, February 25, and is being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center (TGKCC). The Big Breeze hitmaker faces multiple firearm-related offences, including possession of a short-barrel shotgun, a rifle, a machine gun, and a concealed firearm. His bond has not yet been set.
This latest arrest adds to Squash’s history of legal troubles in the U.S. In 2023, he was detained by border patrol agents for allegedly overstaying his visa and was held at the Krome Detention Center in Miami. At the time, Florida was tightening immigration policies under Governor Ron DeSantis, implementing SB 1718, a law aimed at curbing illegal immigration and increasing enforcement measures. Squash’s detention fueled speculation about his immigration status, but his mother, later reassured the public that he was not incarcerated, stating, “Squash has no charges or cases abroad.”
The deejay’s legal woes follow years of controversy surrounding his name. Originally from Salt Spring, St. James, Squash relocated to Florida amid allegations of connections to criminal activity in Jamaica—claims he has repeatedly denied, citing police harassment as the real reason for his move. In 2022, his producer, Jahreme ‘J Man’ Shelton, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder in Lauderhill, Florida, further intensifying scrutiny on the dancehall artiste and his circle.
Squash’s latest arrest raises further questions about his future in the U.S. and his career trajectory. As of 2023, firearm-related offences in Florida accounted for 30% of all violent crimes, according to state law enforcement data. With stricter laws and heightened scrutiny on immigrants, this high-profile case could have serious implications for the entertainer’s residency status and legal standing. Fans and industry insiders now await further developments as Squash’s legal battles unfold.
