"No Lie" rapper, 2 Chainz, has been charged with felony drug possession stemming from a June 2013 arrest at LAX.
TMZ reports that 2 Chainz, whose real name is Tauheed Epps, was charged with one count of possession of narcotic pain and cough reliever, codeine. If convicted, the rapper could face up to three years in prison.
2 Chainz was initially arrested at the airport June 11, 2013, after his checked luggage contained less than an ounce of marijuana and a bottle of prescription-strength cough syrup-- containing promethazine and codeine.
MTV reported that the rapper was removed from the aircraft after the illegal substances were found.
A report by LAX Airport Police Public Information Officer Sergeant Belinda Nettles states that "Epps was transported to the Airport Police station for preliminary processing and transported to and booked at the LAPD Pacific Division Jail without incident."
Prescription-strength cough syrup is used in combination with soda or sports drinks in a concoction known as "sizzurp," "lean," "syrup," or "drank." It is used as a recreational drug, and popularized by southern hip-hop artists such as Three 6 Mafia. The NY Daily News notes that hard candies are often dissolved in sizzurp for an even sweeter taste.
Hazelden Youth Services Medical Director Dr. Joseph Lee told the NY Daily News that codeine is "very addictive," and "can affect everything from cognition to coordination." Lil Wayne's series of 2013 seizures are also attributed to his well-publicized sizzurp use. Sizzurp also contributed to the deaths of UGK rapper Pimp C, and legendary southern DJ, DJ Screw.
2 Chainz was also arrested in August 2013 for obstruction, after refusing to let Oklahoma police officers search his tour bus. The rapper's bus was initially stopped for a broken tailight, but the officers became suspicious that drugs were on board after they smelled marijuana.
Police reportedly found two semi-automatic weapons, a shotgun, prescription medication, marijuana residue, and other evidence in the vehicle. 2 Chainz was charged with a misdemeanor on the obstruction charge, and no other charges were filed against him for that incident.
