The Grammy nominated singer did not speak at the hearing, except to reply, "Yes, sir," to the judge's questions. *Photo credit: ingao.files.wordpress.com

MIAMI, CMC – Jamaican reggae star, Buju Banton, Wednesday waived his bail hearing and has told a federal court that he will contest a drug charge against him in Tampa instead of Miami.

“He believes that because the indictment was filed out of Tampa, that’s where the case should be defended,” his lawyer, Herbert E Walker III, told reporters after the hearing.

Judge William Turnoff issued a temporary order of detention for Banton, 36, whose real name is Mark Anthony Myrie.

The Grammy nominated singer did not speak at the hearing, except to reply, “Yes, sir,” to the judge’s questions.

Banton is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaineand his lawyer said the charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

According to a US Drug Enforcement Administration affidavit, Banton and two others travelled to Sarasota last week to purchase a large amount of cocaine from an undercover law enforcement officer. The DEA was tipped off by a confidential informant who agreed to wear a recording device during the drug negotiation session.

But his attorney told reporters that the singer is “completely innocent” of the charges against him.

“He’s a very spiritual person. He has a lot of faith in God. He’s confident he’s going to be exonerated.”

Banton has been a major star since the early 1990s and earlier this month, his latest album, ‘Rasta Got Soul,’ was nominated for a Grammy for best reggae album.