Yah Mon: Reggae Star in Pinellas jail awaiting trial
Jamaican reggae star Buju Banton is in the Pinellas County Jail while awaiting trial.
He’s being held there as a courtesy to the Federal Marshall’s Office, and according to Pinellas County records, he was booked there Tuesday afternoon.
The 36-year-old is fighting the drug charge against him in Tampa instead of Miami after waived his bail hearing in mid-December in Miami federal court.
A U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration affidavit says Banton whose legal name is Mark Anthony Myrie and two others attempted to buy a large amount of cocaine from an undercover officer in Sarasota in December. Authorities say they were tipped off by a confidential informant.
Banton is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine.
Banton’s attorney says the singer denies the charges.
