BUJU BANTON - BUJU BANNED FROM THE US

Reggae dancehall star BUJU BANTON has been banned from entering America, following a conviction on marijuana charges in his native Jamaica earlier this year (04).

According to representatives for the star, police raided Banton's Kingston, Jamaica, recording studio in December (03) and claimed to have found a marijuana plant which belonged to Banton.

Banton, real name MARK MYRIE, denied the plant was his and said that he had been home for just two days, after an 18-month stretch on the road.

He was found guilty in March (04) and weeks later he was fined $9,000 or 60 days of imprisonment.

A representative for Banton tells website ALLHIPHOP.COM, "Buju Banton has been unjustly banned from the United States because of an absurd conviction in April for possession and cultivation of marijuana.

"Only when Buju tried to return to the States in April did he learn he was forbidden entry. He was detained for 18 hours in Miami and subsequently deported back to Jamaica."