Reggae star Buju Banton set for trial on drug charges

His fans have launched a letter-writing campaign against his prosecution and plan a rally outside the courthouse when he goes on trial today.

There are also Facebook pages, websites and T-shirts in support of Buju Banton, a four-time, Grammy-nominated reggae musician facing federal drug charges in a case his lawyer says was entrapment.

More than 100 people have responded to a Facebook invitation posted by Tampa area supportersto rally outside the federal courthouse on North Florida Avenue.

"I'm sure there's going to be a lot of people showing up," said fan Kay Bonacci, 58, of Largo. "This is a big thing. This isn't just America. This is all over the world."

Banton, 37, has been held without bail since his arrest in December on charges of conspiring to distribute cocaine and aiding and abetting his codefendants in possessing a firearm during the course of the cocaine distribution.

The defense says Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie, was set up by a well-paid government informant.

It all started, according to the defense, in July 2009 when Banton happened to sit next to the informant on a flight from Madrid to Miami. The two began to talk, and the informant brought up the subject of cocaine.

Banton, his attorney says, was not interested. But the two kept in touch. And for the next five months, the informant repeatedly called Banton to try to persuade him to join a cocaine conspiracy.

On Dec. 8, Banton agreed to meet at a Sarasota restaurant. During a recorded meeting, the informant told Banton and his associates to follow him to a warehouse, according to a complaint affidavit by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

During the meeting inside the warehouse, an undercover Sarasota police sergeant showed Banton and the others a vehicle with compartments containing 20 kilos of cocaine. Codefendant Ian Thomas pulled a kilo of cocaine out and put it on a table.

Thomas used a knife to cut open the package and handed the knife to Banton, the affidavit states. Banton wiped the knife with his finger and put his finger in his mouth.

Federal agents say this exchange was video recorded.

Banton and Thomas negotiated with the informant to purchase kilos of cocaine, the affidavit states.

Thomas and another codefendant, James Mack, have pleaded guilty to federal drug charges. They agreed to cooperate with the prosecution.

Bonacci, however, said the government's case doesn't add up.

"I've known him since he was 19 years old in the music industry," she said of Banton.

She said she has never known him to do drugs, adding that Banton is careful about what he puts in his body, even regarding food.

And, she said, Banton doesn't need the money.

On Sept. 28, Banton's record company is set to release his ninth studio album, "Before the Dawn," in the United States. The album was recorded in Kingston, Jamaica, before his arrest.

"The album's unofficial anthem, 'Innocent' strikes a highly personal chord that will resonate deeply with longtime fans," according to a press release from Gargamel Music Inc.

Banton could face up to life in federal prison if convicted.

Bonacci said she has visited Banton in jail and written to him.

"His spirits are high," she said. "He just has strong faith. He believes in God and is just praying for a miracle. ... He wants to get back to his music."