Buju Banton Busted for Trying to Buy Cocaine

Last Thursday, controversial reggae star Buju Banton (aka Mark Anthony Myrie) was busted for trying to buy nearly 15 7 kilos of cocaine from an undercover DEA informant. Myrie is as notorious for unapologetic, anti-gay lyrics as he is for his wine-worthy music, but according to the AP he could be looking at...

By Raina McLeod

December 15, 2009

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "19274298",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17482312",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18711090",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17482310",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18711090",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17482313",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

Last Thursday, controversial reggae star Buju Banton (aka Mark Anthony Myrie) was busted for trying to buy nearly 15 7 kilos of cocaine from an undercover DEA informant. Myrie is as notorious for unapologetic, anti-gay lyrics as he is for his wine-worthy music, but according to the AP he could be looking at nearly 20 years in jail for this latest offense.

According to MTV, the shady dealings took place in the Tampa area at various chi-chi restaurants such as Applebee's and La Tropicana de Havana, but Banton was in Miami when the alleged purchase and subsuquent arrests of his associates went down. Officers nabbed Buju in the 305. He's yet to face a judge, but news outlets are already having a ball repurposing his song title, "Boom, Bye, Bye," so we shall join them on the low road. Boom, bye, bye, Banton. Clink.

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Miami, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.