Busy Signal Pleads Not Guilty, Artiste Remanded

Jamaican Dancehall singjay Busy Signal, on Monday pleaded not guilty to one count of failure to appear in court.

Busy Signal, whose correct name is Glendale Gordon, is accused of fleeing the United States to avoid a drug trial over a decade ago

It's understood, Gordon could face up to five years in prison if convicted on that count. He was ordered detained by the U.S authorities pending his trial.

The 'Reggae Music Again' singer was charged in February 2002 with two counts related to drug trafficking. He fled before his trial was to begin in Minnesota and has been a fugitive for the past decade, Assistant U.S Attorney Andrew Dunn, said in court.

Busy Signal was detained by authorities in London last month who suspected he was traveling with false documents, including a passport that listed a different name. He was allowed to fly to Kingston, Jamaica, and was arrested at the airport there.

Gordon waived his right to an extradition hearing.

The cocaine charges still exist, but because of extradition treaties, any future prosecution on those counts would have to be worked out between the Jamaican and U.S governments.

Gordon's attorney, Bill Mauzy, said in court that the U.S doesn't have jurisdiction to prosecute Gordon on the drug charges.