Buju Banton Convicted This Week....Was It By His Own Mouth?

This past week Mark Myrie, known to the world as Buju Banton was convicted on conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense and using a telephone to facilitate a drug trafficking offense.  However, he was acquitted of attempted possession with the intent to distribute cocaine.  The funny thing is Buju was not ever involved with the sale or purchase of cocaine.

The saga began back in July 2009 when Buju Banton met Alexander Johnson on a flight from Spain to Florida.  On the flight, the conversation of drugs came up between Buju Banton and Johnson and by Buju's own admission on the stand he spoke about what he could do concerning a "hook up" on buyers or sellers.  Yet, on the stand Buju stated that what he was saying he could do was just talk, that he was only "talking crap" and that he was not a drug dealer.  I believe Buju, that he is not a drug dealer.  Buju is now 37 years old and was probably 35 or 34 when this began in 2009. 

Much like Iyanla Vanzantin her books, Buju is a master of truth, rights and Rasta wisdom on his records but, appears not to be able to wield these truths in his own life.   Sadly, here is another indigenous brotha behind bars.  In 2000 on his Unchained Spirit release Buju sings about being locked up without bail on the song Law and order;

Maybe, Buju predicted his future without conscious.  Maybe, Buju could not see what he was saying in public on the Law and Order song and in private "I was just talking crap" could set the course of events some months and years later.  Surely, we are the masters and mistresses of our destiny more than we are aware.  We hold our futures in our minds.  In 2001 KRS One released Sneak Attack.  I am sure this music was in Buju's music rotation and I wish he would have listened to the wisdom of the song The Mind. 

Buju Banton to the world, and Mark Myrie to his true friends and family, will have to face up to 15 years in the belly of the beast's penal system.  All in all, whether or not he had anything to do with hard narcotics, one thing is for sure, it's clear to see our mouths and our thoughts create much of the world we live. 

Buju, say it ain't so!!!

Last week Thursday, Mr. Mark A. Myrie was arrested in Miami on cocaine charges.  The D.E.A. claims to have Mr. Myrie AKA Buju Banton on audio and video tape for a purchase of at least 5 kilos of cocaine.  All the while people are bemoaning Tiger Woods and his "buddy" issues, we reggae/dancehall afficianados have been stunned to hear Buju was arrested on cocaine charges.  In these United Snakes the paid un-named informant is always the main witness in these cases.  Remember how it worked in the case against Regina Kelly.

Buju was not at the facility where two others were at the time of his arrest.  He was in Miami, however one attorney that has read the affidavit against Buju says its airtight and his absence from the original scene of the arrest will not be enough to mount a sufficient defense.   Now, I'm not so sure that the gay communtiy had anything what so ever to do with his arrest, I'm not so sure arrogance and maybe a feeling of being above the law had anything to do with his arrest.  But, surely being a  Black man in (the) America(s) is enough to be arrested.   What stands out to me  is this quote by University of Miami professor David Rowe s "He could enter a plea and attempt to strike a deal while assuming that the DEA has the evidence that it says it has."  Now this stinks of attempting to force Buju Banton into giving over information for who they really want.  This tactic is quite common in the U.S.   Man, man, man.  Buju, just say it ain't so!!!

"I was living life in the fast lane like a train on the tracks.  Here is a perfect example, look at me and where I'm at..."  -Buju Banton, Fast Lane