Recent Grammy Winner Buju Banton Convicted Of Cocaine Dealing

The 37-year-old Banton, whose given name is Mark Myrie, was on trial on accusations that he conspired with two other men in setting up a drug deal in December of 2009. His album “Before the Dawn” won a Grammy last week for best reggae album.

 Buju Banton has been convicted of conspiring to deal cocaine today, just a week after the Reggae singer snagged a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album.

A federal jury deliberated for 11 hours during Buju Banton’s retrial for his role in setting up a sale of five kilos of cocaine to an undercover officer in a Miami warehouse during an undercover operation by the DEA.

The singer was caught on videotape testing cocaine in a Sarasota warehouse in December of 2008, although he wasn’t present during the actual drug deal, which took place two-days later.

According to the Associated Press, Buju, 37, was found guilty of three of the four charges and now faces at least 15 years in prison, when he is sentenced.

The popular singer, who’s album Before the Dawn just won a Grammy Award, is already planning an appeal of the conviction.

His lawyer, David Markus, claims that the reggae singer was a big talker who wasn’t involved in the drug deal.

Ironically, the confidential informant who audiotaped and videotaped Buju during the alleged drug deal, earned a $50,000 commission for his role in the undercover sting conducted by the DEA.

Buju is expected to make bond until his sentencing date, which has not been scheduled.