Grammy-award-winning reggae singer Buju Banton has been sentenced to 10 years in jail for cocaine trafficking. Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie, won best reggae album at the Grammys this year but has been hounded by drug charges. In February, he was "convicted of conspiracy to possess cocaine with the intent to distribute it, along with a further drug trafficking offencs and a gun charge," reports the BBC. "It was Banton's second trial--his first ended in September when the jury was unable to reach a verdict." Banton's case relied on tapes recorded by an informant with the Drug Enforcement Administration who was paid $50,000 after Banton was initially arrested in December 2009. The jury was shown a video of Banton tasting cocaine in a Florida warehouse. "Obviously, we are all upset and disappointed and emotional," said Banton's lawyer. "The only person who seems to be okay is Buju. He told us he was happy that he fought, knowing he was innocent."

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John Hudson