Buju fans use Facebook to rush to his defence

Banton, born Mark Anthony Myrie, has insisted through his lawyer that he is innocent of the charges brought against him. (Photo: reggaeblog.com)

NEW YORK, United States, December 16, 2009 – As reggae singer Buju Banton gets ready for his appearance in a Florida court today on cocaine charges, loyal fans are taking to social networking site Facebook to proclaim his innocence and to claim he was framed.

A new page, ‘We Support Buju Banton!’ has surfaced since his arrest last Thursday and already has close to 8,000 fans.

Several Facebook users have alleged that he was set up because of anti-gay lyrics which have seen him coming under fire from several groups in Jamaica and the United States.

Banton, born Mark Anthony Myrie, has insisted through his lawyer that he is innocent of the charges brought against him.

The Associated Press yesterday quoted attorney Herbert E Walker as saying in an email that he looks forward to representing Banton in court and that the singer “vigorously denies these allegations”.

But an affidavit by the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) said that Banton and two others traveled to Sarasota, Florida last week to purchase at least five kilos of cocaine.

The DEA has claimed that the three were part of a drug syndicate and were caught attempting to negotiate the purchase of illicit drugs. It said Banton was captured on surveillance camera tasting cocaine.

He is set to be officially charged in the Miami Federal Court today for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison. (Adapted from Caribworldnews)