Ralo will remain behind bars until further notice.
During a federal court hearing Tuesday, the Atlanta rapper was denied bond for the second time after prosecutors alleged he continued to run a “drug empire” even while he was locked up. NBC affiliate 11Alive reports prosecutors provided evidence for these claims, which ultimately influenced the judge’s decision.
Ralo—legal name Terrell Davis—was arrested back in April on two federal counts of possession with intent to distribute marijuana. Authorities began investigating the rapper back in December 2017, when police at Fulton County Airport claim to have witnessed Ralo and his entourage transfer gift-wrapped packages from a private aircraft to one of several vans. According to the affidavit, Ralo drove away in a separate vehicle, while the driver of the van containing the wrapped packages was pulled over by police. Officers allegedly found 520 pounds of marijuana with a street value of about $1 million inside the van. The driver and passengers were taken into custody.
Less than a month ago, Ralo’s chartered plane was raided shortly after it landed in Georgia. The rapper was arrested after authorities discovered 444 pounds of marijuana worth about $800,000 on the plane. Prosecutors have since accused Ralo of leading an alleged street gang known as Famerica, which is also the name of his record label.
The 23-year-old maintains his innocence and claims the whole investigation was unwarranted.
"I feel like they kind of wrongfully targeted me," he told 11Alive, before addressing his widespread support. "Not realize how big I was and how powerful I was. I have to know whatever I say, it's going to follow me and people gone take it in very hard [...] I'm very appreciative of everything everybody's doing for me."
