TAMPA - Jamaican reggae singer Buju Banton will be held without bail on drug charges while his lawyer fights to remove a detainer placed on his client by immigration officials.

That means Banton will miss the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles later this month. His album, "Rasta Got Soul," is nominated in the Best Reggae Album category. Banton has sparked controversy over lyrics that some contend advocate violence against gay people.

Banton, 36, pleaded not guilty this afternoon to federal charges that he conspired to buy cocaine from an undercover law enforcement officer in Sarasota last month.

U.S. Magistrate Anthony Porcelli ordered the singer held without bail after defense attorney David Oscar Markus said he would not oppose the government's request that Banton be detained. Banton's real name is Mark Myrie.

Markus later explained that there was no sense in seeking bail when immigration authorities have placed a detainer on Banton, who is in the United States on an entertainer visa.

Markus said he will fight to have the detainer lifted and then seek bail on the criminal charges. He told reporters his client will fight the charges and will not enter into any plea deal with prosecutors.

"We will be going to trial," Markus said.

"He did not commit the crimes he's charged with," he said. "He was not in any conspiracy."

Markus also decried the immigration detainer, saying, "There should be a presumption of innocence. Instead there is a presumption of guilt in immigration." He said there is "no question" his client would be allowed to post bail if not for the detainer.

The criminal case is set for a status conference in February and tentatively set for a March trial. Although cases often don't go to trial so quickly, Markus said he would push for the case to proceed swiftly.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, Banton contacted a confidential informant about a possible cocaine purchase. The next day, Banton and other men met with the informant at Sarasota's La Tropicana de Havana restaurant, where the DEA and local police had set up surveillance.

Eventually, the group went to a warehouse to make the cocaine deal, according to an affidavit. Authorities had outfitted the warehouse with audio and video recording devices.