Additional details on Juelz Santana’s recent legal drama have come to light.
As previously reported, the 36-year-old fled Newark Liberty International Airport last week after TSA had discovered an unconcealed loaded firearm in one of his carry-on bags. Now, just days after Santana turned himself in, TMZreports that the Diplomats rapper was carrying prescription drugs at the time of the March 9 bust.
Law enforcement told the publication that eight oxycodone pills were found inside Santana’s luggage, resulting in a felony charge of possession of a controlled dangerous substance. According to TMZ, Santana is due in court Wednesday to face the drug charges.
As for the other counts, NJ.com reports Santana will remain behind bars pending a preliminary hearing on his weapons charges, including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and carrying a weapon on an aircraft. The preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 26.
“We're gathering his information as quickly as possible to ask the judge to release Mr. [LeRon] James (the rapper’s legal name) as we wait to review and defend the charges,” private defense attorney Brian Neary told NJ Advance Media this week.
In 2011, the rapper was arrested on weapons and drug charges following a raid on his New Jersey recording studio. So, because Santana is a convicted felon, the possession of a firearm charge can alone result in a 10-year prison sentence.
