Buju Banton has homes both in Jamaica and Tamarac. While legions of dancehall reggae enthusiasts view Buju as one of the most prolific voices of Jamaica’s poor masses, critics say he’s a gay basher whose lyrics incite violence by calling for attacking and torturing homosexuals. His song ‘Boom Bye Bye’, a dancehall hit released in the 1990s, advocates shooting gays in the head and setting them on fire. If convicted, Buju Banton faces as many as 20 years in prison.

Rumours were swirling in Trinidad and Tobago that soca star Bunji Garlin was the one in custody. This was clarified by many radio and television personalities including Dr. Jay in Toronto. An e-mail to Buju Banton’s independent record label was not immediately returned Sunday.

Buju’s ninth album, “Rasta Got Soul”, is nominated for a Grammy. The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation launched an online petition protesting the nomination, saying some of Buju Banton’s earlier lyrics have advocated violence against gay people.

As more details on this story, including formal laying of charges, we will update this article or site to reflect the news. There are even rumours stating that the United States government is attempting to strike a deal with the Jamaican government for a trade of Buju Banton for Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke, who is wanted on numerous charges in the United States.

A copy of the affidavit obtained indicates that Buju Banton is charged jointly with two other men, Ian Thomas and James Mack for knowingly and willfully conspiring to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms of cocaine. It’s alleged that the three men had enquired about purchasing a large quantity of the substance. An informant contacted the authorities and advised them that Buju was in search of purchasing cocaine.

Florida attorney Professor David Rowe has confirmed that he has been approached to represent Buju Banton. He said preliminary allegations have been tendered in relation to the case. Professor Rowe said arrangements were then made for Buju to meet with the informant and other individuals to buy the drug. Those persons were undercover law enforcement agents. Details of the activities which led up to the arrest of Buju and the two other men were captured on audio and video recording. However Professor Rowe believes there’s a chance for the reggae artiste to avoid grave damage to his career.

Professor Rowe said Buju is entitled to a first appearance and then a pre-trial detention hearing. He said Buju Banton is to appear before Resident Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Jenkins in the Florida Middle District court.

Details on according to the DEA affidavit is that Banton contacted the confidential informant last Monday about a possible cocaine purchase. The next day, Banton and other men met with the informant at Sarasota’s La Tropicana de Havana restaurant, where the DEA and local police had set up surveillance.

Buju Banton allegedly arrived at the meeting in his silver Land Rover with the license plate “Jah One”, according to the affidavit. Eventually, the group went to a warehouse authorities had outfitted with audio and video recording equipment set up to make the cocaine deal. An undercover officer pulled out one brick of the 20-kilogram load, according to the DEA, and one of Banton’s associate’s sliced it open with a knife.

Banton, according to the affidavit, “instantly wiped the blade of that knife with his finger and placed that finger in his mouth in what appeared to be an attempt to taste the cocaine.” After two more meetings at local restaurants between the informant and Banton’s associates, authorities arrested the associates and then took Banton into custody Thursday in Miami.