Reggae artist Buju Banton was arrested last Thursday (December 10) on drug charges and is currently being detained in a federal
According to DEA spokesman David Melenkevitz, when Banton, whose real name is Mark Anthony Myrie, was arrested he had 5 kilos of cocaine in his possession, and he is now facing a charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute.
This is not his first run-in with the law. In 2004 he allegedly participated in the beating of six gay men but was acquitted in January 2006 due to a lack of evidence. Ever since his 1992 single Boom Bye Bye which promoted violence against gay men, the dancehall artist has been met with protests from gay rights activists at his events. He conducted a sit down with the gay community this past October, and although Banton refused to change his views the two sides were able to agree to disagree.
If convicted of the charges the reggae star faces as many as 20 years in prison.
Banton received a Grammy nomination for Best Reggae Album this year for his ninth solo album, Rasta Got Soul, and finished a successful North American tour.
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