The arrest of international recording star Buju Banton made headlines in several major newspapers in the US and as far away as Taiwan yesterday.

'Boom Bye Bye Reggae Super-star ... arrested in Florida for allegedly dealing drugs', screamed the headline posted on the very popular United States-based MediaTakeout.com, which bills itself as "the most visited urban website in the world."

The New York Times, The Miami Herald, The Associated Press (AP), The Florida Sun Sentinel and Taiwan News were just some of the widely circulated publications to post articles on their website. No new information emerged yesterday on the circumstances under which Banton was held, although AP reported that the arrest stemmed from a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) case in Tampa, Florida.

News of Banton's arrest also dominated MediaTakeOut.com and other popular social networking sites, where the reaction was mostly shock and disbelief. "I don't believe this for one second. I'm not saying the story isn't true, but I'm saying that I think he was set up ... not Buju" read one comment posted under the name holla221 on MediaTakeOut.com.

Banton, real name is Mark Anthony Myrie, is to appear in court in Tampa Bay, Florida, in the United States of America today.

Sources told The Star that this is a preliminary appearance and it is not clear if he will request bail or even enter a plea. Banton has been in custody since last Thursday when he was arrested and charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to sell five kilos of cocaine.

Star sources said Banton's manager, Traci McGregor is to meet with Jamaican diplomatic officials in Tampa today to get their assistance in putting together a legal team to defend him. Florida-based Jamaican attorneys Kirk Burrows and David Rowe are reportedly on a shortlist of lawyers being considered to represent the Grammy nominated deejay.

Buju Banton has been on a successful tour of several major United States cities to promote his ninth album, Rasta Got Soul, which was later nominated for the prestigious Grammy Awards.

The US-based Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), which organised protests at some of the concert venues, has since launched an online petition protesting the nomination because of anti-gay lyrics the artiste recorded more than a decade ago. They would not comment on his arrest when contacted yesterday.