Various news sources report Grammy-nominated Dancehall artist Buju Banton is being held in Florida on drug-related charges. Banton, whose government name is Mark Anthony Myrie, has been in federal custody since December 10 after being arrested with a large quantity of cocaine. DEA spokesman David Melenkevitz said Banton was arrested on a charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine.
Banton has enjoyed strong ties within the Hip Hop community. During a storied career he has used collaborations with Ice Cube, Fat Joe, Busta Rhymes and others to crossover into both the Pop and Hip Hop markets.
“He is here … I can’t tell you when he will go to court or anything like that, but yes, he is here facing a charge of possession and the intent to distribute cocaine,” said an anonymous DEA officer to Jamaican news paper The Gleaner. Buju Banton’s ninth studio album, Rasta Got Soul, is currently nominated for a Grammy.
