December 18, 2011 13:06

Buju Banton to appeal drug conviction

Reggae star to try and overturn 10-year jail sentence

Photo: PA

Reggae star Buju Banton is set to appeal his drug conviction, according to reports.

Banton was sentenced to 10 years in prison in June for his role in setting up a cocaine deal in 2009. He was found guilty of conspiracy to possess five or more kilogrammes of cocaine with the intent to distribute in February and was also convicted for possessing a firearm and another drug trafficking offence.

However, Billboard claims that Banton filed an appeal on Friday (December 16) claiming that there was insufficient evidence to prove he was involved in the cocaine conspiracy.

His legal team also argued that he was pursued by a federal informant seeking a $50,000 (£32,160) payment from the government, which they claim resulted in improper entrapment.

After his conviction, Banton released a statement which read: "The man is not dead. Don't call him a ghost. The days that lie ahead are filled with despair, but I have courage and grace and I'm hopeful, and that is sufficient to carry me through."

His attorney David Markus, meanwhile, said: "This fight is not over. We will keep fighting for him. [Banton] is my brother, and I'm going to keep fighting until they tell me to stop."

Banton's last album, 'Before The Dawn', won Best Reggae Album at the Grammy Awards earlier this year.