Senior Reporter
Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander has revoked the Preventive Detention Order (PDO) issued against dancehall artiste Joseph “Medz Boss” Oliviere.
The revocation, dated August 24, was published in yesterday’s Gazette but does not state the grounds on which Oliviere was released.
It comes almost six months after a PDO was issued on March 19 for the arrest of the entertainer.
Oliviere, of Third Street, Beetham Gardens, had been ordered detained at the Eastern Correctional Rehabilitation Centre in Santa Rosa by Alexander, under Paragraph 9 of the Schedule to the Emergency Powers Regulations 2026.
The revocation, also issued under the regulations, states that the “Minister may revoke a detention order at any time.”
“Now, therefore, I, the Honourable Roger Alexander, Minister of Homeland Security, in exercise of the powers conferred on me, do hereby revoke the detention order dated the 19th day of March, 2026, made in relation to the said JOSEPH OLIVIERE of 3rd Street, Beetham Gardens,” the notice states.
Guardian Media understands that no application seeking a review of Oliviere’s PDO was filed before the State of Emergency (SoE) Tribunal, which was established to hear challenges from people detained under PDOs.
However, legal sources said a tribunal review was not required for the order to be withdrawn.
“It doesn’t matter whether or not there was a review. The minister can revoke a PDO whenever he so wishes. A revocation isn’t dependent on the tribunal’s recommendation,” one legal source explained.
Sources said only Alexander could provide the reason for the revocation. However, calls to Alexander seeking comment went unanswered yesterday.
In the original detention order, Oliviere was identified as a member of the Rasta City/Seven Gang, which was described as an organised criminal group under the Anti-Gang Act, 2021.
The order alleged the group had access to high-powered firearms and ammunition and was involved in extortion, narcotics trafficking, targeted shootings and the violent intimidation of residents and rival gangs.
It further alleged there were violent internal disputes within the group and that Oliviere and others were planning imminent retaliatory attacks against rival gangs in public spaces using high-powered firearms and high-velocity ammunition.
Authorities said his detention was necessary to disrupt those alleged plans and prevent further acts considered a clear and present threat to public safety.
Oliviere is known in local dancehall circles for songs such as Just Do It and Welcome 2 TriniBad. He released Rags to Riches in 2025 and BLUECARATS in 2023.
His release comes after a peace initiative within the local dancehall community involving Kashif “K-Man” Sankar and Mescach “Plumpy Boss” Emmanuel, who recently signed a pact aimed at curbing gang violence. The agreement was reportedly facilitated by Alexander.
Series of revocations
Oliviere’s case is the latest in a series of PDO revocations published in the 2026 Gazette.
The first was businessman Danny Guerra. His PDO, issued on November 19, 2025, was revoked by Alexander on January 2 under Legal Notice No. 4 of 2026, which was published on January 13.
Guerra was later murdered on March 13. The 49-year-old businessman was shot multiple times by two masked gunmen while seated in his black Toyota Hilux outside his business place on Oropouche Road, Sangre Grande.
Pablo Manuel Guerra Rivas also had his PDO revoked on July 31. The revocation was published as Legal Notice No. 632 of 2026 on August 11.
His original detention order, issued on March 19, alleged that he was a member of an organised crime group involved in kidnappings for ransom and murders.
After extensive legal challenges, businessman Dominic Hadeed and his wife Genevieve also had their detention orders revoked.
Dominic Hadeed’s PDO, which was issued on June 27, was revoked by Alexander on July 23 under Legal Notice No. 650 of 2026.
Genevieve Hadeed’s PDO, also issued on June 27, was revoked on the same day under Legal Notice No. 651 of 2026.
Their relative, Star Sabga, remains under house arrest and her PDO has not been revoked.
New PDOs issued
Meanwhile, newly published detention orders have been issued for Joshua Baptiste, Jediah Jardim, Kamau Abede Farai and Teslyma Raffick.
Baptiste, also known as “Goat Head,” is alleged to be an enforcer for the Dark Side Gang and is linked to a series of home invasions in Penal, Morne Diablo and Siparia.
Jardim, also known as “Ezekiel,” is alleged to have supplied firearms and ammunition to several organised crime groups. The order further links him to illegal quarrying and narcotics distribution.
Farai, also known as “Fari,” is described as an associate of several gangs. The order alleges he was involved in plans to carry out attacks and in the murders of two people in San Fernando.
Raffick, known by several aliases, including “Faith Lawrence” and “Faith,” is described as the interim leader of the R Gang operating in La Romaine and surrounding communities. According to the PDO, she assumed control of the group after its reported leader went into hiding and was coordinating its activities.
The four PDOs state that the detentions were necessary to disrupt alleged plans for violence and prevent conduct considered prejudicial to public safety.
