Dancehall artiste Flippa Moggela appeared briefly before a federal magistrate judge in Camden, New Jersey, last week as proceedings continue in a sprawling narcotics conspiracy case in the United States (US).

The entertainer, whose real name is Andrew K Davis and who is also known as the “Flossing King” and Flippa Mafia, attended the detention hearing before US Magistrate Judge Ann Marie Donio, where discussions centred primarily on legal representation and procedural matters rather than the substance of the allegations against him.

Davis was advised of his legal rights before the court granted an application from attorney Tamika McCoy to withdraw from the case. McCoy had only recently entered an appearance on behalf of the artiste earlier in the week.

Following her withdrawal, the court found that Davis lacked the financial means to continue retaining private counsel. Judge Donio subsequently appointed Cherry Hill-based attorney Edward Borden to represent him under the Criminal Justice Act, which provides legal aid for defendants unable to afford representation.

Federal prosecutors successfully moved for Davis to remain in custody pending trial. The dancehall artiste consented to detention and was remanded to the custody of the US Marshal Service.

Court documents, however, noted that Davis has not waived his right to apply for bail at a later stage in the proceedings.

Davis was arrested in connection with a federal drug conspiracy investigation, which prosecutors allege involved the distribution of at least 500 grams of methamphetamine, 400 grams of fentanyl and five kilograms of cocaine between August 2025 and May 2026.

The criminal complaint, unsealed earlier this week, also names Damion Jones, Clifford Brown and James McBride as co-defendants in the case.

According to prosecutors, investigators relied on evidence obtained from the artiste’s Apple iCloud account, intercepted telephone communications, surveillance operations and searches linked to suspected narcotics packages in building the case against the accused men.

The matter is expected to continue before the federal court in Camden in the coming weeks.

The entertainer was previously convicted on charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and money laundering. He was released on parole in October 2022 after serving nine years of a 25-year prison sentence.

Flippa Moggela rose to prominence in dancehall through his flamboyant persona and energetic stage performances, during which he frequently showered patrons with cash — a trademark display that helped cement his larger-than-life image within the genre.

Among his best-known tracks are Repeat, Dem Yah, Mi Nuh Bruk, and Unfinished House.

Beyond music, Flippa Moggela also ventured into film, portraying the character “John John” in the 2002 Jamaican crime classic Shottas, which featured performances from Ky-Mani Marley and Spragga Benz.

READ: ‘Flossing King’ Flippa Moggela facing drug charges in US again