Despite Bail, Buju still behind bars

More than a week after international reggae star, Buju Banton was granted bail in a Florida court in the United States, the artiste remains behind bars.

Buju, whose given name is Mark Myrie, has been in custody since December charged with conspiracy to traffic narcotics.

It has been over a week since the dreadlocked artiste was granted US$250,000 bail, nearly three weeks after a jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict in his trial.

The Judge also ordered, at Buju's expense, that he be placed under house arrest, employ 24-hour security and wear a monitoring device.

Bujus lead attorney David Markus explained in a radio interview that the defence has been ensuring that he is in a position to satisfy the bail conditions.

He will then appear in Immigration Court to see if he will be allowed bond.

As a non citizen of the United States, the Immigration Court will have to decide if he can remain in the US as an undocumented resident since his visa was revoked at the time of his arrest.

If Buju fails to secure bond, he will be deported.

Mr. Markus says the team is hopeful that he will be able to meet all the criteria to secure bail next week.

The four time Grammy nominee was arrested at his Tamarac home in December and slapped with charges of conspiracy to possess and distribute five kilograms of cocaine and possession of a firearm.

A new trial is to take place in December.