Harlem World’s own Juelz Santana was arrested after an ongoing investigation by Bergen County Law Enforcement officers that netted a small amount of marijuana and two loaded semi-automation handguns. Apparently cops had the Dipset rapper under surveillance for a period of time before they decided to nab him on the charges. Here is what is being reported over at Sandrarose.com:
Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli announced the arrest of Laron James aka “Juelz Santana” on four (4) counts of narcotic and weapon offenses. The arrest came about as a result of a ten month joint investigation conducted by members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Gang Unit.
On Thursday, January 20, 2011, a search warrant was executed at Juelz’s Studio Santana’s World. During the execution of the Search Warrant, two (2) fully loaded 9mm caliber handguns were found in the recording studio along with several boxes of ammunition. Additionally, seventeen (17) small clear zip-lock bags each containing a greenish brown vegetation, consistent with the appearance of Marijuana, and drug paraphernalia were seized. Santana was charged with Possession of a Firearm and a Controlled Dangerous Substance namely Marijuana, Possession of a Handgun without Having a Permit, Possession With Intent To Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance namely Marijuana, and Possession With Intent To Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance.
Bail was set for Santana at $125,000 with no 10% cash option. Santana was remanded to the Bergen County Jail in lieu of bail.
What did they say? No 10% cash bond? Looks like he is going to have to put up all of his bling to get out of this sticky situation!
Although 17 small bags of marijuana doesn’t appear that he is a high level drug dealer. Also possessing weapons in your place of business for protection might not have been a bad idea either seeing as how he would be a likely target as a robbery victim. My only issue is that he should have obtained a premise permit for the weapons. I am just a little curious as to what the police said to the magistrate judge to obtain the search warrant. Usually a officer had to observe a drug sale happening or there was a confidential informant who provided the information.
An arrest is not a conviction so we just have to wait and see how this one plays out in the criminal justice system.
