Jamaican reggae star Buju Banton in US custody, facing cocaine conspiracy charge in Miami

Reggae star Buju Banton facing drug charge in Fla.

MIAMI — Jamaican reggae star Buju Banton is facing a drug charge in Florida.

Banton, whose real name is Mark Anthony Myrie, has been in U.S. federal custody in Miami since Thursday.

Drug Enforcement Administration spokesman David Melenkevitz said Sunday that Banton was arrested on a charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine. The charge stems from a DEA case in Tampa.

An e-mail to Banton’s independent record label was not immediately returned Sunday.

Banton’s ninth album, “Rasta Got Soul,” is nominated for a Grammy. The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation launched an online petition protesting the nomination, saying some of Banton’s earlier lyrics have advocated violence against gay people.