BUJU FACING 15 YEARS

Reggae star Buju Banton faces up to 15 years in jail after being convicted on three counts of drugs and weapon charges. Arrested in 2009 following an alleged cocaine trafficking deal, the singer – who last week won the Grammy for best reggae album – is being held for sentencing without bail.

“I’m fighting for my freedom,” Banton told the court during the trial’s final hours. “I’m fighting for my life.” The jury in Tampa, Florida took 11 hours to convict Banton, born Mark Myrie, for conspiracy to possess cocaine with the intent to distribute it, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and one more trafficking charge. He was acquitted on a fourth charge of attempted cocaine possession. “This is not about Buju Banton, the reggae singer,” assistant US attorney James Preston told the jury. “This is about Mark Myrie, the drug defendant.”

This was the musician’s second time defending this case before a jury. Earlier proceedings, in September 2010, ended in a mistrial. The charges stem from meetings and phone calls made by Banton in late 2009, recorded by a Drug Enforcement Administration informant. Banton was allegedly helping to set up a major cocaine deal, and although he did not invest money in the plan, nor even stand to profit from it, prosecutors said he was an essential broker for the deal. In one video, shot at a warehouse in Sarasota on 8 December 2009, Banton can be seen allegedly tasting cocaine for potency. Banton’s defence attorney has insisted that his client was simply a “big talker” who “tried to act cool”.

After the jury’s verdict was read out, Banton hugged his attorneys and blew kisses of thanks to his supporters in the courtroom, according to MTV. His bail was revoked and he is now in custody pending sentencing. The 37-year-old reportedly plans to appeal the ruling.