UPDATE: Lil Wayne Arrested by DEA in Arizona
Author:
24hourhiphop
Read 11117 Times Since
Posted on 2008-01-23
Yuma County Police in Yuma, Arizona have confirmed that rap superstar Lil’ Wayne is being held in police
custody. Wayne was arrested by Federal Drug Agents.
"Mr. Carter is in our custody at this time," Yuma County Chief
Deputy Major Leon Wilmot said. "But the arrest was
performed by another agency. It was a DEA arrest." Lil’ Wayne was booked into Yuma County Jail at 6:40 AM PT this morning.
The rapper will be arraigned on felony charges of possessing
dangerous drugs, possession of narcotics and possession of drug
paraphernalia.
Rapper Lil Wayne and two others are still in custody at this hour,
after appearing in court and being initialed on pending felony charges.
Lil Wayne, born Dwayne Carter, Jr., along with 23-year-old Harold
Johnson, Jr and 24-year-old Curtis Stewart, were arrested at
approximately 11:20 pm MT, at a Border Patrol Checkpoint along
Interstate 8 near Dateland, AZ, about one hour east of Yuma.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration in Arizona, Lil
Wayne was traveling with 11 others aboard a tour bus along I-8, the
most common route between San Diego, CA and Tucson, AZ where Wayne
performed on Sunday evening (Jan 20).
The rapper’s bus was flagged for inspection by a K-9 unit. After the
New Orleans native consented to a search, the K-9 unit boarded Wayne’s
bus to complete a full search.
"The K-9 Unit found multiple types of drugs, as well as currency,
and firearms," DEA spokeswoman Ramona Sanchez told AllHipHop.com. "One
of the firearms, a .44 caliber pistol was registered to Mr. Carter. He
did have a concealed weapon permit from Florida, but we are
investigating whether it violates any Arizona laws." Sanchez added that the K-9 Unit recovered 105 grams of marijuana
(3.7 ounces), almost 29 grams of cocaine (1.02 ounces), 41 grams of
Ecstasy (1.05 ounces) and $22,000 dollars in cash.
"The two other individuals were charged with possession of
marijuana," Sanchez said. "Mr. Carter was charged with possession of
the cocaine and ecstasy, and possession of miscellaneous
paraphernalia."
Per the Yuma County Court, the County Attorney has 48 hours to file felony complaints on these charges. Lil Wayne’s bond was set at $10,185 dollars, while Johnson and Stewart are being held on $3,009 bond. The Border Patrol is expected to release a statement later this afternoon.
The arrest comes as Lil Wayne prepares to release The Carter III, which is slated for a March 11 release.
