Last December, Dancehall and Reggae star Buju Banton was held in Florida for drug trafficking charges. According to the charges, Banton and an informant associate, along with a third party, attempted to buy five kilograms of cocaine from undercover agents in late 2009. The Grammy nominee who’s worked with Fat Joe, Ice Cube and Busta Rhymes became news again in March of this year, when he claimed mistreatment on Pinellas County jail officers, for not providing him vegetarian meals. The Rastafarian singer’s spokespeople told press that Banton had lost 40 pounds from not eating.
Six months later, Buju Banton will officially begin trial today in Tampa, Florida. If convicted, Banton can face a life sentence.
According to The Associated Press, Banton’s co-defendants have pleaded guilty, and plan to testify against him. The singer’s defense is accusing the government of entrapment.
