It's Not An Easy Road

Grammy nominated Jamaican singer Buju Banton faces a maximun sentence of 20 years in prison after his December 10th 2009 arrest in Florida. According to a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration affidavit, Banton and two others traveled to Sarasota, Florida last week to purchase a large amount of cocaine from an undercover law enforcement officer. The DEA was tipped off by a confidential informant who agreed to wear a recording device during the drug negotiation session. Banton, whose real name is Mark Anthony Myrie, was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine. His lawyer Herbert E. Walker III, has said Banton is "completely innocent" of the charges and is confident he will be exonerated. A bail hearing was set for Wednesday, December 16 in Miami federal court. Details still to come for the husky-voiced reggae star. This is not Banton's first run in with the law, however. In 2004, Jamaican officials found two marijuana plants growing in Banton's studio. He was charged for the offense and not allowed to enter the U.S for 12 months. His career in the U.S has diminished over the years as certain lyrical content has angered members of the gay community. So much that his lastest Grammy nomination for his 9th album "Rasta Got Soul" has been petitioned online by The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. Buju Banton, no matter what his fate may be, will be forever remembered for hits such as Wanna Be Loved, Champion and Untold Stories. Walk like a champion Buju.