Buju Banton arrested on a federal drug charge [Updated]

First, reggae singer Buju Banton was in the news this month because of his best reggae album Grammy nomination. More on that later.

Now Banton, a Jamaican performer whose real name is Mark Anthony Myrie, is in federal prison in Miami, the Miami Herald reports.

He's been in custody since Thursday, arrested on a charge of conspiracy to possess, with intent to distribute, more than 5 kilograms of cocaine, a DEA spokesman said.

[Update, 10:27 a.m., Dec. 14, 2009: Banton allegedly attempted to buy cocaine from an undercover officer in Miami, the Associated Press reports.

According to court documents, Banton and two others contacted a police informant last week about buying cocaine in Sarasota. Drug Enforcement Administration agents say Banton negotiated the purchase and was observed inspecting cocaine offered by the undercover officer. The other men were also arrested Thursday when they allegedly attempted to buy the drugs.

Banton's record label has not commented on his arrest.]

[Read the Ministry's Dec. 15 follow-up post: "More details emerge in the Buju Banton drug case"]

Why the controversy -- one of many for the singer -- over the Grammy nod for his ninth album, "Rasta Got Soul"? Because of lyrics from the early part of his repertoire that advocated violence against gays -- an idea that's not anywhere close to new in Jamaica.

His reps told the Herald in September that criticism against Banton wasn't valid, because he'd stopped singing the song "Boom Bye Bye" -- but in an October sit-down with members of San Francisco's gay community, one activist saw "little movement on his part."

[For the record, 10:01 p.m., Dec. 13, 2009: An earlier version of this post had the name of Buju Banton's song as "Boom Boom Bye." The song's title is "Boom Bye Bye." Hat tip to commenter Kirby for making sure we get it right./cdz]

Though Banton is being held in Miami, the case in question is based in Tampa, Fla., where he will be transferred.

If convicted, he faces as many as 20 years in prison.

[Update, 9:56 a.m., Dec. 14, 2009: The Palm Beach Post reports that Banton is scheduled to appear today (Monday) in a Tampa court. Positive quotes from Buju at the Oct. 12, 2009, sit-down in San Francisco can be found here. A video of an Oct. 26, 2009, performance including the quote "There is no end to the war between me and (gays)" can be found on YouTube (we can't link directly because of the language involved). Also, here is an example of an unrelated drug trafficking case in which several people were charged with "conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute," for those unfamiliar with the charge.

If more details come out of court today, the Ministry will update again. Thanks for reading and for commenting. We're trying to get all the comments up -- just please comment without profanity.]

-- Christie D'Zurilla

P.S. If you comment, please remember that the Ministry has a zero-tolerance policy on profanity, including using **'s and --'s and other filter-tricking tactics (I'm the filter, so I can figure all that out). Just a friendly warning, in the interest of getting those comments published!/cdz

Photo: Buju Banton in 2006 at the Century Club in L.A. That show had to be moved from the Highlands in Hollywood because of a protest over the singer's anti-gay reputation. Credit: Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times.

The Ministry has other dispatches with an LGBT or celebrity justice vibe -- just click those links.

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Comments

[NITA VERONICA CUMMINGS]

BUGU YOU GONNA BE ALRIGHT HE DOES NOT NEED TO SELL NOTHING .I REALLY HOPE THE DEA LOOKS DEEP INTO THIS AND HOPE THE REAL CULPRIT COMES FORWARD.

[michael]

welcome to america,gays run this place,I dont think Buju will get a fair trial,he has three strikes against him 1. being anti gay 2. being black 3.being Jamaican.You dont need a rocket scientist to realize that this was a set up,Buju was a marked man from the time he made that song,and they was not going to stop until they get him one way or another,just like OJ Simpson....sending a black man to prison,thats how it works in america.There is no such thing as freedom of speech or rights in america for a black man.God bless you Buju,he will take care of you.Dont give up,fight the bloodsucker to the end!God bless.

[floret ferguson]

buju banton is inocent he was set up by people who does'nt have a conscience i hope he have a great lawyer and he beat these charges.About his anti-gay song when he was 15-18yrs old get a life he is a 36yrs old man no longer a kid i am sure he no longer think gays should be beaten and killed,he is religious and a rasta man his view on gay lifestyles will not change he has the God given right to his opnion why should he be framed and boycott because of it,he is not advocating violence against gays they just cannot forget a 20yr old song.

[It's Deeper Than What You Think...]

People...People...It's much deeper than the homophobic lyrics. The homophobic lyrics makes him a target, yes, but all of this has to do with the U.S. Government and JA. It's because the Foreign Affairs Minister not going to give up Dudus to the U.S. thats why they going to hold our most popular Jamaican Representative...BUJU! And since Buju is an easy target because of his tainted past, it's easy to set him up and most people will believe it (U.S. Jury). Bet you if JA give up Dudus, Buju get all them charges dropped!

http://www.jamaicasmostwanted.com/2009/08/29/us-government-wants-dudus/

-H.I.M.

[darqnite]

Why does he need to sell cocaine? He's a reggae star!! And apparently an idiot as well!! Good bye bye greedy rasta boi!!

[Let Freedom Reign]

LONG LIVE BUJU BANTON!

[Stagga Lee]

Is there a ban on the use of the bible in USA, because there are parts in the bible that promotes violence against gays. If i am wrong please correct me thanks. Another thing why meeting with a gay group would change how the artiste feel about homosexuality? Dont him have the right to not support homosexual life styel?

[Stagga Lee]

..and to u Sam Kestu...if Buju says "there is no end to the war between him and the battyman" that is because the homosexual community is taking the war to him not the other way around. They have been hounding him since he did the song so it is fitting for him to say so.

[Gay Freedom Fighter]

How terrible that buju supporters believe he's the victim here of some gay conspiracy. People, we have no power! We are beat to death in nations across the land, including yours.

Buju's disgusting, satanic call for genocide against gay people is something that he has never apologized for, and he deserves to be criticized for. This arrest just makes clear that gays have been right to call him out...but the idea that the US DEA is a hotbed of gay activism is laughable.

Buju Bye-Bye!

[CDZ from the Ministry]

Hey all, it's Christie D'Zurilla from the Ministry -- I'm getting some comments submitted that include lyrics that might graphic descriptions of sex acts, and I can't risk publishing them because I can't be certain what they say. So don't take that personally! My Jamaican patois isn't what it used to be when I was in college in the late '80s. My apologies.

We *are* trying to get as many comments posted as possible, with various points of view. Bear with us -- there are a lot coming in.

Also, I'm on the lookout for news out of court today, and will post info as soon as I find it (if I can find it). The Ministry doesn't have a Florida bureau, unfortunately.

/cdz

[1st Lady]

If in fact this is the action of Buju Banton I as a fan will be very dissapointed. Buju has enough money to invest in real properties and lucrative bussinesses. The gay community should respect the fact that he met with the
Gay Right groups and voice his opinion..just as Gays have right, Heterosexuals have rights and can voice opinions.

[valerie ottey]

This is obviously a set up. If they had mentioned Ganga then I would be thinking maybe. Buju is not stupid but the USA obviously thinks that we are come on what are we going to do to help. The way I see it we are all under seige weather we want to admit it or not. I am not anti gay but this kind of thing leaves a bad taste in my mouth. What is the Jamaican Government and the Opposition going to do. This is not a simple matter Jamaica as a country must do or say something which will show that we will not allow our nationals to be treated this way.

[mike van der voort]

Free Buju!!! Free Buju!!! Free Buju!!! The man is innocent like jah cure was!!!

[Sheryl]

Well it is as plain as day to see that Buju is being set up, but guess what people, God doesnt sleep.
Let me give you all a lesson all who want to believe then some be it, if you do not want to go right ahead.
If Buju is being framed the person(s) who did this and everyone who is involved are going to suffer for it and those who does suffer directly their children and grand-children will and when I say suffer I mean suffer.
Just watch out.
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty, I will say of the Lord he is my refuge and my fortress, my God in him will I trust.
Father God, Vengence is yours sayeth your word.. Amen

[Grant]

if i m wrong let it be i m no law scholar but,isn t this a case of entrapment? Afterall he is alledgedly purchasing the dope from the undercover.

[bruce]

Buju Bye Bye

[Trude]

Sorry to say but his "Driver" took the wrong route

[X-Man]

I am a longtime Buju Banton fan and nothing in his past has dissapointed me. I always defended him for his views and his contraversial lyrics including the anti-gay tired and personal favorite "Boom Bye Bye". But today i have lost respect form him cuz no Rasta should be messing with the "devils candy", stricly "lambs bread collie" seen.

[DD]

I'll wait for the facts to surface, the entire situation sounds fishy though. As for the homosexuals, pick up a Bible, Leviticus 20:13 states homosexuality is a sin punishable by death, Sodom and Gomorah was destroyed because of homosexuality, the list goes on and on. Or maybe the homosexuals are correct and God was mistaken. Do us a favor and stop trying to inflict your vile and sinful ways on the rest of the world. Homosexuality is wrong!

[michael]

Jamaica needs to stop this extradition treaty with the usa,and dont give up"Dudas'or anyone,because america will never extradite a US citizen to jamaica.How can you charge someone with a crime that has never traveled to the US,if so jamaica should start asking for extraditions on th US citizens that are selling the guns,that are going to jamaica...look at what is going on in mexico,all the guns come from the US...wake up people! back to Buju..ITS ALL A SE UP..FROM THE WORLD BULLY..UNCLE SAM.Aint no such thing as justice in america for a black man...especially a Jamaican.

[dian2009]

This is too all the antibujus, when Buju Banton sang his song did anyone go and kill anyone, no. Most of us Americans,Caribbean people etc, was raise by the religion of Christianity that unity is between a man and a woman. Everyone has the right to do what they want and please, but they don't have the right to enforce their belief among someone. Buju is one man and most of you all parents have issues of you being gay. So, what is the problem, do you all plan on setting up your parents because they don't agree of your way of life. The gays cry for everything, your so over sensitive, it is just outrageous. I too, believe that Buju Banton was set up the whole thing just don't make any sense. I hope you antibujus are happy, but it does not put an end to your troubles, the constant fighting amongst yourself(domestic abuse), the suicidal rate, etc. If you believe in what your doing and you love yourselves nothing would bother you. We try to teach our children, that in life not everyone will like who or what you do, but you must keep your heads up high and continue what your doing. But you all concept is; oh he don't like me lets attack. Come on, Buju may be looked up, but it won't stop his music nor the great support that we fans have for him. Buju we all love you.

[Larisha Ogun]

Masters of illusion strike at the heart of another humanitarian with trunkated charges of possession to silence the lamb. Another dig at the just-us system to bring judgement against the righteous. May the guardians of the humankind bring tides of bliss upon the righteous and those that speak the truth! May the truth be told and may the lamb be exonerated by the spirit of restoration. Lift up your head you mighty lion and children of creation!

Rasta lives!

[nunya]

Buju bye bye.

[Shaman]

Funny how gays dismiss what the bible says but yet they want to have CHRISTIAN marriages legal for homosexuals. Check the facts when he was arrested for possession last year... was also a setup by homosexuals to try and keep him out of the country, which theyve been trying for years with manny jamaican artists they are now targeting beenie man,sizzla. gay rights group have been in buju's fans faces standing in line for his shows harassing us for years now becasue they couldnt fight him down...what better way too keep him out then 5 kilos of cocaine. my guess, they try to give him a plea for giving up his rights too enter the US..exactly why they did this whole setup so he couldnt tour here anymore. and why is it ok for rappers and heavy metal artists to promote murder and much worse on these albums which currently drop everyday in america and sell millions of units and people just overlook it but they put all theyre fight into one reggae artist that makes a song 15 yrs ago and he was 15 at the time he made it but they still fight him....its called freedom of speech, but i guess now the gays dont even want us too have that then why should we want them to have any rights? batty fi fall n buju will rise

[Amanda]

Personally I'm really sick and tired of this "gay" business and honestly I do believe that "my boy" was indeed set up to fall that way because "they" can't get him any other way. What I gathered from what was said, to me it really has nothing much to do with drugs since it was only made mention in the headline and the first few lines. It's really sad that the "people" who put him where he is today "locked up" does not have the balls to say to the supporting fans that "my boy" was put there "locked up" because he will not stop supporting and freely speaking on what is considered an "abomination" and if you don't want to get on that topic, just as "they" are free to be who "they want to be "gay" he is free to speak on it. Innocent unit proven guilty.