Buju Banton will be held without bail on drug charges while his
lawyer fights to remove a detainer placed on his client by immigration
officials.
Buju Banton who is 36 years old, pleaded not guilty this afternoon
to federal charges that he conspired to buy cocaine from an undercover
law enforcement officer in Sarasota last month.
U.S. Magistrate Anthony Porcelli ordered the singer held without bail
after defense attorney David Oscar Markus said he would not oppose
the government's request that Banton be detained.
David Markus Buju Banton defense attorney later explained that there
was no sense in seeking bail when immigration authorities have placed
a detainer on Banton, who is in the United States on an entertainer visa.
