Held without bail in Florida since 10 December, Buju Banton is preparing for his trial, scheduled for 19 April in Tampa, in which he is pleading not guilty (see news of 18/01/2010).
True to his line of defence, Gargamel's lawyer, David Markus, is seeking to show that his client was set up. He has also obtained from the court a few details about the informant at the origin of the case. Of Colombian origin, he lives legally in the United States. Convicted of drug trafficking in 1993, he has been working with the authorities ever since and is said to have received more than 3 million dollars for his cooperation. He could also receive more than 35,000 dollars for his role in Buju Banton's arrest, and even more if the singer were convicted. According to the lawyer, he harassed Buju for months to propose this cocaine purchase.
Contacted very briefly by phone by the Jamaican radio station Irie Fm, Buju Banton expressed his confidence in the justice system, convinced that the truth will prevail. He also denied and condemned the rumours circulating about his financial situation, which is said to have worsened because of legal costs.