Buju Banton's Drug Trial Moves Ahead With Jury Selection

Celebrity

The reggae star is facing the drug charges stemming from his arrest in 2009 after the trial was postponed several times.

September 21, 2010

AceShowbiz - Reggae star Buju Banton will finally face up to the drug charges stemming from his arrest in 2009 - jury selection has begun, five months after he was initially due to stand trial. Banton, real name Mark Myrie, was jailed in December 2009 after he was caught allegedly attempting to buy more than five kilograms of cocaine from an undercover law enforcement officer in Sarasota, Florida.

The case was due to go to trial in April but was postponed until June before being delayed once more. Now the troubled Jamaican is preparing to answer charges including conspiracy to possess, intent to distribute and possession of a firearm during the course of illegal activity, reports AllHipHop.com.

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Jury selection began on Monday, September 20 at the Federal Court in Tampa, Florida. He has pleaded not guilty to all counts and has accused U.S. government officials of entrapment and pressuring him into purchasing the drugs.

Banton has been held without bail in Pinellas County Jail in Tampa since his arrest. If convicted, he faces up to life behind bars.

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