The second day in the Buju Banton drug conspiracy trial has commenced in Tampa, Florida. The day began with alleged recordings of telephone conversations between Banton and a Police Informant: Mr. Alexander Johnson being presented to the court. Prosecutors examined audio evidence taped over a 5 month period of Banton reportedly discussing drug deals, dollar amounts and the best way to transport drugs including cocaine from Panama to Europe in frozen crates of seafood.

Banton's fans who had turned out in droves for the trial, were also stunned by the recordings which were played out aloud to the court. According to eye witnesses the fans appeared deflated after coming off of a high on Monday when the chief investigator in the matter said he had no evidence that Banton was involved in cocaine trafficking. Yesterday as the tapes were being played, one women could be seen with her head in her hands and covering her ears. Others sat attentively, captivated by the conversations between Banton and Johnson, a convicted drug trafficker who has been working with the US Government since 1996 to sting other dealers. Banton was also heard asking Johnson if he had any connections to buy cocaine as he was willing to finance a deal. He also told Johnson that he did not have contacts in Venezuala, Panama and other parts of South America, but that he was involved with smuggling diamonds from Africa to Europe.

We have also heard reports that Prosecutors presented a video of Johnson, Banton and Thomas (co-accused) in a warehouse in Sarasota. In it, Thomas cuts a package containing approximately a kilo of cocaine. Banton is seen taking a knife cutting the package, wiping the knife and tasting his finger.

Notably, when Buju’s lawyer cross examined  Johnson later in the day, Johnson agreed that the artiste did not finance the drug deal for which he, along with the two co-accused was arrested and charged. Johnson also admitted under cross examination that Banton had never purchased any cocaine in Panama or Colombia, and that their dealings never went beyond a talk.

But prosecutors say what is clear is that Banton wanted to put up money to buy cocaine. Below you can see a transcript of the tape that was played in court:

"All I do is finance," Banton told Johnson during the restaurant meeting, transcripts show.

"So you give the money to buy dope?" Johnson asked.

"Yes," said Banton, according to transcripts.

Defense attorney David Markus has argued that while his client talked about drug dealing, he never actually funded any.

"Did Mr. Myrie invest one dollar of money into a drug deal?" Markus asked Johnson during cross examination.

"With me — no," Johnson answered.

During another conversation on August 1st at a South Florida Hotel, Banton and Johnson discussed buying kilos of cocaine from Panama and transporting them to Europe in containers filled with frozen seafood.

Johnson told Banton he had a seafood business called Frozen Fish, the transcripts show.

Johnson turned informer in 1996 after being convicted of distributing cocaine and marijuana. He was paid $50,000 in the Banton case, according to testimony.

During a conversation at a Sarasota restaurant on Dec. 8, Banton admitted to Johnson he was having money problems. "My truck is in the shop and I can't get it out," Banton said. "I'm going to concentrate, though; things are going to be straight next year."

It was on that day that Banton brought an associate named Ian Thomas along for lunch with Johnson. Banton described Thomas as a "friend who had contacts to purchase kilos of cocaine," Johnson said in court.

Johnson told Banton he would give him 5 extra kilos of cocaine if Thomas and his associate, a man named James Mack, purchased 20 kilos.

Another video shows Thomas and Mack being arrested while attempting to purchase cocaine at the warehouse two days later. Banton was arrested later that day at his South Florida home.

"So that 5-kilo deal for Mr. Myrie never happened, did it?" Markus asked Johnson.

"No," Johnson said.