UPDATE: Buju Banton guilty on three counts

Buju

Jamaica’s reggae superstar Buju Banton, real name Mark Myrie, has been found guilty of three cocaine related charges.

A 12 member jury delivered the verdict in the Sam M Gibbons building in Tampa which houses the United States Middle District Court, Florida Division.

Buju was found guilty on conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine.

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55 Comments

  1. Anonymous
    March 16, 2011

    :-| come on people, this could have happened to anyone, to be unbiased, you should consider the same punishment for yourself or someone close to you, had you gotten in the same dilemma.

  2. Frustrated LIME internet customer
    February 27, 2011

    I agree… If you do the crime pay the DAMN time… I can never feel sorry for Buju because he knew exactly what he was doing… He did what he did out of greed and probably didn’t stop long enough to think of his family in the process… He’s a grown man and had made his choice therefore he has to live with it… I hope that he’ll take his time in jail to rethink his life and make amends with him God, his family, his friends and himself for idiocy and greed…

  3. forkit
    February 23, 2011

    i cant cant feel sorry for buju. cause this is not part of the roots vibes he preaches in his music… but what i cant comprehend is the way inwhich the u.s government enforcement agency uses entrapment to convict people… it is illeagal to meet someone and bring up a conversation on drugs and later present them with drugs just for and arrest and conviction……… many people have had the ideas of going into drugs dealings, many never got the chance because they never had the opportunity… alot did…. SO WE CAN SAFELY SAY THAT THE U.S ENFORCEMENT ENCOURAGES DRUG DEALINGS BY GIVING PEOPLE THE IDEAS………..

    • Aaaaa
      February 23, 2011

      exactly!

      • stupes
        February 25, 2011

        STUPES

  4. Cah-C-Bruce
    February 23, 2011

    People take the advice of the young bull and do not wear your ignorance as badge of honor.
    “Homosexuals set him up.”
    This is downright comical. If the “homosexuals” had influence over anything then it would more than likely be over the Grammys than the justice system. Buju is fresh off winning a Grammy award. Stop making excuses for a grown man who decided to act in the capacity of a drug trafficker.

    read the indictment and then make an EDUCATED decision as to what it was that occurs. Stop spewing ridiculous conspiracy theories and painting a picture of stupidity. All Buju had to do was tell the informant that he was not interested in dealing cocaine. A simple “Fire burn. Rasta nah deal with babylon power.” would have sufficed. Yet he proceeded with these dealings for a duration of time after having made the initial contact.

    Set up or not. Any individual who has care and concern for the lives of others would not be attempting to deal cocaine. Not to mention the fact that Buju is a popular artist who has the means to generate income. HE HAS NO EXCUSE. Please stop making him out to be a matyr.

    • Frustrated LIME internet customer
      February 27, 2011

      I agree… If you do the crime pay the DAMN time…

  5. Jake
    February 23, 2011

    Shame on Buju. Buju selling and smoking coke. Smoke dopesn’t come out without fire. I Buju May not be familiar with how d country run look how they fighting sensimila making way for coke to come. Fire Bun Buju

  6. Truth
    February 23, 2011

    I’ll never understand why my people always make excuses and covering perpetrators. If a case is tried and proven in Court why try to undermine the judges and the system! Set up or no set up this would have been the man’s natural reaction if someone would approach him with drugs. It’s becoming a trend now in Dominica to cover evil doers and criticize authority when they do their work. Although mistakes can be made,we should have faith in the law since it is the authority of the land. It is so sad – people do wrong and then they are upheld and comforted when they are given just rewards. Mind you, those same people blame the law when the shoe is on the other foot and it affects them. So the vicious cycle continues and don’t forget the young ones are looking on and in time will imitate.

  7. idi amin
    February 23, 2011

    “til i’m laid to rest always be depressed there’s no life in the west” buju you knew there was no life in the west i vex you go in the west and end up falling. don’t worry till shiloh you will vhant rastafari name and will be out. you will walk like a champion

  8. #1 buju fan
    February 23, 2011

    drugs my backside – them wrongside men and women set him up

    this is for all those foolish enough to believe that he was not set up.

    • circus
      February 23, 2011

      oh whatever about him set up !! he thought he was above the law dealing with shit like that ! lesson to be learn …..stick to what youre good at…singing ! bad man he wanna play so send his but to jail >>to much time he had on his hands! bet you he will come out with a number 1 hit !!! he just need some more innovation and prison it is !

    • only
      February 23, 2011

      If it is Florida, it is probably a set up, rip off. That place is full of opportunists ready to benefit themselves and rip you off.

  9. shook bwa
    February 23, 2011

    Love the Gagamel, but greed, i cant deal with, jamaica has poverty and some have to do what they have to do to survive, But buju dont fall in that bracket he sing against something and wanna make money from it, if found guilty face the consiquences. Big music, love them tune, what a shame, but he could only blame him self.

  10. Born bajan
    February 23, 2011

    5 keys is about 125000 i doubt u could entrap buju fa that. Setup all the way the gays already stated they control the goverment after obama sign some gay bill. And the fbi is those same people police. Do any one remember gay edgar hoover?

  11. JESSICA FLETCHER
    February 23, 2011

    It is with dismay I write this comment after having read what my Dominican people have to say about this whole issue. People, we make choices in life and we have to live with the consequences of our actions. I do not care if the US Government wanted to set Buju up. He should have a brain and most of all he should use it. All criminals always cry innocent. He is not innocent. Why would you respond to a place wher a drug deal is taking place if you are not involved? He knew, he knew, he knew!!! The FBI was able to succeed because Buju is a fool. He is involved in drugs and so they used drugs as his bait. Why Buju? Why not anyone else? Well, all who the FBI knows is involved in illegal activities will get caught. They will set a trap for you and you will get caught. Now, if you are not involved then you will not be in a situation to get caught.

    The long and short is that some of these guys become too greedy. You are an international music artist with such a huge following and yet you are not satisfied with the money you make. People, stop adoring and worshipping these people. They are human and some of them are stupid. Buju made a stupid decision and now he has to pay. I am in no position to judge anyone but I hope he learns a lesson.

    • babyempress
      February 23, 2011

      :-| :-| that is so true, buju should not put himself in such compromising situation when he does that, as an international artist, the young people look up to him and they adore him. 99 days for the drugdealer, 1 day for the law……its a shame some international artist dont realise the effect they have on young people. it is a downright shame. but am still a fan. put wrong for wrong and right for right.

  12. Muslim_Always
    February 22, 2011

    The homosexuals must be toasting champagne on his head now for his controversial song on homosexuality. Well, if you claim it’s democracy, the man has a right to his song eh, thus, if this was an F.B.I set up, this would be very sad.

    Secondly, a man who professes rastafarianism and consciousness, love and vibrations should not interfere with dangerous drugs that kills societies, causing serious liabilities to the state. This is a shame. You have lost significant credibility to sound thinking people’s mind. Hope you get what you deserve for trafficking white man’s dust. You are lucky you were not found guilty in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

    • cold
      February 23, 2011

      to jessica fletcher and muslim always

      that was a set. buju was never in possesion of cocaine he was having discusions of what he could do with it, thats why they could not charge him with possesion and thats what they tried to charge him with the first time and thats why the charges didnt stick it was ruled a miss trial and new charges were brought forth there is a technicality though, the fbi cannot briing up new charges in an on going case but the judge disregarded it to side the fbi. not tell me do you think that is fair IT WAS A SET UP FROM THEM BA(* BOUY. buju them fellas set out to get you, trap you and twist their laws around to hold you in, hopefully there will be an appeal and you will emerge victorious have faith and let jah guide you ppeople should riot and protest, pass around petitions and strike to see justice

  13. lapwet
    February 22, 2011

    set buju free!!

  14. Cah-C-Bruce
    February 22, 2011

    To be perfectly honest, Buju has no one to blame but himself. The thing which most struck me when I read the indictment was the fact that Mr. Banton had tasted the cocaine to ensure that it was good quality. This seems to insinuate that he had done this before. As a Rasta finding himself in that situation is inexcusable. As a decent and upstanding member of society he would have not taken the opportunity so readily afforded to him by the authorities.

    He fell into the trap because of greed and stupidity. I love Buju and his music but this does not make him exempt from justice. He should be dealt with to the full extent of the law as any other perpetrator would have.

  15. jemima
    February 22, 2011

    :oops: what can i say? its a shame……………………………

    • Anonymous
      February 22, 2011

      good for him i hope they make him a woman in prison

      • issues
        February 23, 2011

        u got problems…seek help…

        • Hmmm.
          February 23, 2011

          definitely seek help…

      • cold
        February 23, 2011

        you have to be gay and still angry that buju was reluctant to sign that gay bill

      • #1 Buju Fan
        March 8, 2011

        He is a man …….

  16. Gaza
    February 22, 2011

    over hills? now you in de valley wi

    • so strange
      February 22, 2011

      wel the man said over hills and valleys TOO

  17. The truth
    February 22, 2011

    Let’s not forget that all his assets will now be seized. So buju facing twenty add years and coming out broke. What a situation he get himself in. Man like me don’t even go near where drugs is located. What is buju doing tasting drugs? Big artist and for a man who know he was wanted by certain people, he let his guard down constantly and let in the devil. A real shame. Whether he innocent or guilty, only he knows but he had no right bein where he was and in relation with such people

  18. Dominican in T.O
    February 22, 2011

    I know its tempting, but dont try to mess with that easy coke money…All that high grade weed in Jamaica (purple skunk, Alasakan, cambolla etc…) and you’re messing around with the devil’s dandruff…Not smart Buju…Hope they dont throw the book at you…and when you reach prison, walk with your a** against the wall…

  19. yout
    February 22, 2011

    i will still chant at the top of my lungs BOOm BYE BYE inna B@#&$ BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  20. de caribbean change, BBA, MBA, CPA
    February 22, 2011

    By the powers of the most High, they got to turn me loose. Yes me friend, dem set me free again. Good luck.

  21. gazza kid
    February 22, 2011

    boy buju, u sal a rass bwoy!!!!

  22. 4u2c
    February 22, 2011

    I wish we had some justice for the popular or the beloved in Dominica

  23. WIKILEAKS
    February 22, 2011

    Only in America….they gays wanted this man for his song for a long time.

    This is a shame when gays control the US Governement

    • Really Concerned
      February 22, 2011

      WIKELEAKS,

      Have you ever heard the term, “A*&-NESS”? That is what you talking right now.. Pure A*&-ness!!! Are you forgetting what Buju in jail for? Drugs!!! Drugs my friend!! The stuff that takes lives, kills dreams and much more!!! He is not in jail for his song or for anything to do with gays.. He in Jail for drugs. try to remember that!!

      I like his music too, but if he decided to mess with drugs, then he has to deal with the consequences. Just like any other dealer who gets caught.

      • WIKILEAKS
        February 22, 2011

        Really Concerned….so you really believe the man had drugs.

        If Buju had Drugs…then Saddam Hussein had Weapons of Mass Destruction.

        My friend, this is America….this is America…we see these things unfold in our very eyes every day.

        READ MY FRIEND, READ MY FRIEND

        • Really Concerned
          February 23, 2011

          Not only am I reading my friend, I am walking and driving the streets. I am seeing what drugs are doing to lives. I am also very much aware of the flaws in the justice system, but believe me my friend, everyone in jail is not innocent. Like another contributor said, given his status, Buju should have been miles away from drugs, but instead, he choose not to. I hope he survives this and learns a valuable lesson.

  24. Too much
    February 22, 2011

    Practice what you preach is all! Buju was one of the few Reggae icons I loved to listen to growing up. Now all you hear is stupidness about gaza and gully! He should have stayed away from the white powder. I don’t feel sorry, and to those talking about entrapment, if you play with fire you MUST get burnt! It’s like stealing your employers money and then when they set you up to catch you, you then come talk about entrapment! WRONG IS WRONG! Hopefully you will learn the lesson the hard way. The white powder is destroying too many lives young and old everyday! Whomever is not killed because if it, is left without parents, left without children etc, and or left broke busted and disgusted.

    As much as I love Buju I will not play the hypocrite and say no one set you up. You set up your own self when you choose to meddle in drugs!

    Badness out of style! SAY NO TO DRUGS!

    • Anonymous
      February 22, 2011

      shut up, why do you love this ediot, who tell lies on dominicans, that dam lier, he is getting what he deserve , i hope he rots in jail he will learn not to lies on dominicans. he lie on dominicans so somebody put bush on him. allez sei bon ou ka waie, boowoo.

      • Hmmm.
        February 23, 2011

        …”he lean not lies on dominicans…” HAHAAHAHA.
        hmmmm..

      • Hmmm.
        February 23, 2011

        …”he lean not LIES on dominicans…” HAHAAHAHA. What the hell is that??
        hmmmm..

  25. Mimi
    February 22, 2011

    @Aaaaa, do you know what ENTRAPMENT is, entrapment is when law enforcement induces a person to commit a crime they would never have commited or no intent to commit. In fact, he agreed to commit the crime, the government only provided the opportunity for that to occur..He was not persuaded at all, he had the full mental capacity to commit the crime, he just got caught….people always think that because they are stars that people look up to, the court will have leniency on them, come on….this is how these artists make their side money and we all know they are destroying our communities with their drugs so dont support that…he is a good artist but hey when you’re wrong you’re wrong, he should have used his head and not get greedy in the business okay…..he will still be loved no matter what but hey the FBI got him, you cant get pass that

  26. Vibes
    February 22, 2011

    Buju my boy, you better put a padlock on that boomboom boy, because them batty man them going after you hard in that lock-up after you sing about them.

    It’s really sad you got yourself in that situation, but you guys must learn to practice what you preach. Why did you have to leave JA to go live in white man country? And why your name even had to get close to being associated with the white man powder, when you had the natural herb (which you constantly sang about). REALLY SAD STORY!! HOPE OTHERS TAKE NOTE!!!

  27. Aaaaa
    February 22, 2011

    They did entrapp him. When you set someone up to fall and they do that is entrappment. The person who started this mess was hired for $50000 by the FBI to entrapp buju. They pay people to set up sting operations. I feel its wrong to set someone up in such a way. If you dangle a piece of meat infront of a dog do you expect him not to bite? The US have so many drug dealers to arrest. big suppliers. they don’t have nothing on buju beside him tasting cocaine to show off . Shame on this place. Buju lawyer a self is an idiot. Hold up your head in babylon!

  28. mouth of the south
    February 22, 2011

    my boy buju,,, u a multimillionaire,,, u didn’t need the coke money,,, a man jus mysteriously popping next to u on a flight from europe to the u.s n u treat the man like a friend ready to do business,,,,, i know they not gonna play with u,,, the gays gonna ensure u get the full extent of that law,,,, no less than 20 years jail for u my boy,,,,, i know u have a good team who have dealt with these cases b4,,, but i don’t think ur team ever faced what u in now since they have been successful in preventing such circumstances,,,, in ur case them gays were pulling strings behind the scenes to put u down,,,, u release boom bye bye since 1990 but for some reason it is the trademark song used to describe how dancehall targets gays,,, yes it was a setup,,, the f.b.i planted u in the case and in the scene,,, they provided the drug n the money which they said u’d use to purchase it,,,,, so it’s almost like the f.b.i create their own scenario n say let’s put buju into it n look it,,, u facing 20 yrs to life,,,,, u just lucky is not N.Y dat happen to u cuz they don’t play up dere with that,,,, u’d be facing 60 yrs jail

    • mouth of the south
      February 22, 2011

      no probs gays,,,,, allu will thumbs down all allu want but its the truth

  29. Welix
    February 22, 2011

    A tremendous blow for the music industry, indeed. So much talent.

    Some say Bunju was never forgotten by the gay community, and that he was set up, for his critique in Boom Bye Bye. Bunju himself felt that he was entrapped by law US enforcement in Miami, aided and abetted by some of his own race.

    He never dismissed the charges against him, though, that he may have committed those crimes for which he stands now convicted.

    Always wondered how in other things we can be so wise, and yet fall victim to things we should know better about.

    Still a big loss for fans and reggae (conscious reggae) lovers around the world. Hope he is luckier on appeal.

    Love you Buju.

  30. high speed
    February 22, 2011

    A DAMN SHAME!

  31. Wongping
    February 22, 2011

    Keep the spirit up Buju.the music will set u free.Jah live!

    • spyda
      February 22, 2011

      buju is a dam fool he put himself in this position it’s not fbi it’s buju why would want all this drugs anyway.he was making money just greed see where it landed him the more we have the more we want

      • chupesss
        February 22, 2011

        finding him guilty in court doesn not say he is actaully guilty… ok what if the case is appealed and he is foung not guilty… im saying this to say stop bring black pl down when situations happen. he may be responsible for it or it may be a set up. if the case is appeaked and he is found not gility then again the same black ppl will say is becuase he has money he pd somebody in authorities or some bull close to that. i dont understand that crap in dominica now. once is a frigiing black man that fall is a rejoicing. darn it.

    • real rasta
      February 22, 2011

      free buju /.buju for life

      • Hmmm.
        February 23, 2011

        Hoping that Buju file for an appeal and wins…
        This is all a plot because of Buju’s anti-gay lyrics. Americans too like to condone homosexuality…

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