Found guilty of possessing more than 5kg of cocaine with intent to distribute, Buju Banton was sentenced yesterday to 10 years in prison. The judge thus went below the minimums: Buju Banton had faced a 15-year sentence. He will be incarcerated in Miami. After serving his sentence, he will be subject to a further 5 years of supervised release.
His lawyer David Oscar Markus said he would appeal the verdict and would continue to work for the artist's release.
Buju Banton should not have to cut his dreadlocks in prison, and should be allowed to practise his Rasta faith behind bars. However, he will be forbidden from recording any new tracks.
Buju Banton was arrested in December 2009. A first trial, in September 2010, failed to reach a verdict, paving the way for a second trial in February 2011, at the end of which the jury found Buju Banton guilty.