PHOENIX — Rapper Lil Wayne was arrested on three felony drug charges early Wednesday after federal agents said they found illegal drugs including cocaine on his charter bus at a checkpoint in southwestern Arizona.
Lil Wayne, whose real name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., spent the day at Yuma County Sheriff's jail on state drug charges before being released, Capt. Eben Bratcher said.
After posting $10,185 bond, the rapper signed autographs for several fans outside a Yuma bail bondsman's office.
James Tilson, a local attorney retained by Carter, said his client was not formally charged and that his next court date was scheduled for today.
"We will find out by Jan. 25 whether or not the (Yuma) county attorney will file charges," Tilson said. "He is looking forward to his day in court. That's all I can say right now."
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The 25-year-old rapper, who hails from New Orleans, faces charges of possession of dangerous drugs, narcotics and drug paraphernalia.
Bratcher said Carter's bus was stopped at about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday at a Border Patrol checkpoint near Dateland, abouty75 miles east of Yuma.
Ramona Sanchez, spokeswoman for the Drug Enforcement Administration, said a Border Patrol canine unit alerted agents to the presence of illegal drugs on the bus. A search yielded nearly 4 ounces of marijuana, just over an ounce of cocaine, 41 grams of Ecstasy and miscellaneous drug paraphernalia, and DEA agents then arrested Carter.
Officials also found a .40-caliber pistol registered to Carter, who has a concealed-weapons permit in Florida.
Two other men were arrested with Carter. They face charges of possession of marijuana.
