Reggae Superstar, Mark Anthony Myrie, AKA Buju Banton, Arrested in Miami on Drug Conspiracy Charges

Jamaica Reggae superstar, Buju Banton, arrested in Miami on drug conspiracy charges.

Jamaican singer Mark Anthony Myrie, popularly known as Buju Banton, was arrested by federal agents in Miami, Fl., on Thursday, Dec. 10th, and is facing drug conspiracy charges. Banton, whose anti-gay song "Boom Bye Bye" has drawn international criticism, will soon be transferred to Tampa, where the U.S. Attorney is charging him with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilos(11 pounds) of cocaine. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Buju Banton is widely viewed, by many dancehall enthusiasts, as one of the most prolific singers to hail from the "no problem mon!" island of Jamaica, but he has come under blistering criticism for his anti-gay lyrics, many in the gay, lesbian and transgender communities view as a call to incite violence against them. What I find amazing is that the song in question was being played on the airwaves for months in the 1990s before it was banned. The dance-hall hit, which is still being played in many clubs worldwide, advocated shooting gays in the head and setting them on fire.

Still seething from the lyrics of the song, this fall, angry gay activists forced the cancellation of several Banton concerts during a U.S. tour that included a Halloween night concert in Miami. More recently, the firestorm continued after Banton's latest album, Rasta Got Soul, was nominated for a Grammy award. Well, I guess it's Boom Bye, Bye for Buju now. Here's another career that just imploded. He has homes both in Jamaica and Tamarac. 

UPDATE#1:  According to the latest news, Buju Banton is facing charges that he attempted along with others to buy a large quantity of cocaine from an undercover law enforcement officer. A U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration affidavit states that Banton and two others traveled to Sarasota last week to make the purchase. The DEA was tipped off by a confidential informant who agreed to wear a recording device during the drug negotiation meeting. A bail hearing is set for Wednesday in Miami federal court. To read the latest news on this incident, CLICK HERE.

Photo credit:  Buju Banton, Miami Herald