Rapper Wiz Khalifa arrested
The American rapper Wiz Khalifa, whose real name is Cameron Thomaz, has been arrested.
USA Today reports that the incident happened over the weekend in Romania, where he performed at the "Beach Please! Festival" on Saturday night.
Footage from Thomaz's arrest has been circulating the internet. Take a look:
Apparently Wiz Khalifa got arrested last night for lighting up on stage at a festival in Romania… 🚭 pic.twitter.com/RyLlflETPT
— Festival Goers (@FestivalGoers_) July 14, 2024
Here is what happened:
Romania's Directorate for the Investigation of Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) has released a statement on the matter. According to the agency, it arrested the rapper because he used marijuana during his performance, thereby violating one of the country's laws.
"[DIICOT] ordered the prosecution of a defendant (US citizen), investigated for the crime of possession of high risk drugs," the statement reads.
It continues, "It was noted that he, during a recital held at a music festival taking place in Costinești resort, Constanta county, [Thomaz] possessed over 18 grams of cannabis (a high-risk drug) and consumed (onstage) another amount of cannabis in the form of an artisanal cigarette"
The statement concludes, "The judicial activities are carried out together with the police of the Organized Crime Brigade Constanța. We specify that, during the entire criminal process, the investigated persons benefit from the procedural rights and guarantees provided by the Code of Criminal Procedure, as well as from the presumption of innocence."
It would appear that there is no dispute about any of this.
Thomaz responds
Thomaz has issued a statement on the situation, and, it does not appear that he is particularly upset about what happened.
"Last night's show was amazing. I didn’t mean any disrespect to the country of Romania by lighting up on stage. They were very respectful and let me go. I’ll be back soon. But without a big a** joint next time," he wrote.
Last nights show was amazing. I didn’t mean any disrespect to the country of Romania by lighting up on stage. They were very respectful and let me go. I’ll be back soon. But without a big ass joint next time
— Taylor Gang World Leader (@wizkhalifa) July 14, 2024
It is unclear, at the time of this writing, whether Thomaz is going to face any penalty for his violation of Romanian law.
USA Today reports, "The Grammy-nominated rapper is next scheduled to perform at Drai's Beachclub & Nightclub in Las Vegas on Aug. 30, according to Khalifa's official website."