JAMAICAN reggae artiste Buju Banton will be facing four charges instead of two when he goes on retrial in a US federal court next Monday. Judge James Moody yesterday afternoon dismissed a motion by Banton seeking to have the new indictment thrown out.

“…We are going to trial on Monday on the new charges. That’s okay. We are ready,” attorney David Oscar Markus told the Observer yesterday.

The four-time Grammy nominated artiste whose real name is Mark Myrie, had originally been tried last September on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, and aiding and abetting the possession of a firearm during a drug-trafficking offence.

Banton will now be tried for:

* conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine;

* attempted possession with the intent to distribute cocaine;

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