KINGSTON – Jailed reggae artiste Buju Banton was today offered US$250 000 bail in the Sam M. Gibbons Federal Court in the United States.
But Banton, real name Mark Myrie, is still not in the clear as his lawyer David Oscar Markus will now have to seek bond in the immigration court to prevent his deportation to Jamaica. Banton’s entertainment visa was revoked when he was arrested last December.
As part of Banton’s bail condition, he will have to wear a monitoring device and will be subject to house arrest and 24-hour security, to be paid for by the defence.
He can only leave his house for meetings with his attorney and for doctors’ appointments and to purchase medication. He will also be subjected to drug testing.
Banton, 37, faces the possibility of life imprisonment or being slapped with fines running into millions of dollars if he is convicted on the charges of conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine and illegal possession of a firearm in the furtherance of a crime.
He has been in jail since December last year when he was arrested at his Florida home. (Jamaica Observer/CMC)
