Vybz Kartel In Jamaican Prison Break?

There is uncertainty over claims that Dancehall star Vybz Kartel has reportedly broken out of prison in his native Jamaica after holding an officer at gunpoint.

Kartel, real name Adidja Palmer, allegedly started a riot at the Horizon Adult Remand Centre, where he was being held whilst under investigation over his possible involvement in up to seven murders.

It is reported that Kartel and several other prisoners managed to take control of the prison shortly after 1am local time this morning (30/11/11), taking clothes and keys from guards before escaping in a prison maintenance pickup truck at approximately 1.45am.

One police officer is thought to have died of a heart attack during the escape with at least twelve others injured, including two who were shot with guns apparently smuggled into the prison ahead of the raid.

The Force Commissioner of Jamaica's Criminal Investigations Branch apparently confirmed that Kartel, who has previously worked with the likes of Eminem, Jay-Z and Akon, is on the run and that he and the other escapees are now on the island's most wanted list.

Countering this, the Jamaica Observer has now alleged that reports of Vybz' escape were started as a joke by an anonymous blogger, and that Jamaican police have no knowledge of the incident.

According to the Observer, The Assistant Commissioner of Police, Les Green, said that the reports are false.

"I know nothing about that. If that had taken place I would would certainly have known," he said.

Another unnamed police officer added, "It may be an attempt by his cronies to keep him in the news but they don't need to spread rumours to do that because he will be in the news for quite some time."

At 12.20pm GMT today (30/11/11), a tweet purporting to be from Kartel's Twitter account hit the micro-blogging site, cryptically just saying "Ahoee'.

It has yet to be confirmed whether the tweet was genuinely sent by Kartel, or whether his account has been hacked.