2021 Celebrity Drug Busts from A-Z

The following musicians, athletes and other celebrities were arrested for cannabis or other drugs in 2021:

Nigel Bradham’s mug shot

Nigel Bradham - Nov. 13

A traffic stop in Leon County, FL led to the arrest of the former NFL linebacker who was on the Eagles 2018 Super Bowl team. A search of his vehicle found 3.5 pounds of pot and a gun. He's charged with possessing marijuana with the intent to sell, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and possession of marijuana over 20 grams. Bradham posted bail the next day. He was previously busted for marijuana in 2013.

Jesus Carmago-Corrales’s mug shot

• Jesus Camargo-Corrales - March 17

Cubs' minor league pitcher arrested in Eagle, Colorado; charged with four class 1 drug felonies and two class 4 drug felonies for possession and intent to distribute drugs; 21 pounds of meth and 1.2 pounds of Oxycodone pills found in his duffel bag during a traffic stop and subsequent search; allegedly, he unwittingly transported the load from Sinaloa, Mexico for $500; most recently played for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans in 2019.

Alex Caruso’s mug shot

Alex Caruso - June 22

Lakers' guard arrested in College Station, Texas after Texas A&M police (he attended the school) found a grinder in his bag during check-in at Easterwood Airport; charged with possesion of less than two ounces of cannabis and paraphernalia; released on $4,200 cash bail; currently a free agent, has averaged six points per game in his four seasons with the Lakers.

Chico Debarge

Chico DeBarge - Nov. 6

The R&B singer with DeBarge was charged with possession of a controlled substance (meth) and drug paraphernalia when police search his RV parked in the Los Angeles area. He was also arrested earlier this year on drug DUI charges and previously in 2019 and 2007. DeBarge had a number of Top 20 hits in the '80s, incuding "Rhythm of the Night" (No. 3, 1985).

Fetty Wap’s 2019 mug shot

Fetty Wap (nee William Junior Maxwell II) - Oct. 28

The New Jersey rapper was arrested at New York's Citi Field during the Rolling Loud Music Festival. He and five others were busted on drug charges. According to U.S. attorney Breon Peace, "The defendants transported, distributed and sold more than 100 kilograms of deadly and addictive drugs, including heroin and fentanyl, on Long Island, deliberately contributing to the opioid epidemic that has devastated our communities and taken too many lives." He was previously charged with assault in 2019. Fetty Wap had a No. 2 hit with "Trap Queen" in 2014. 

Aryan Khan in custody in India

Aryan Khan - Oct. 2

The son of Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan was arrested for drug possession along with 11 others aboard a so-called "rave cruise" heading from Mumbai to Goa. Charas hash was among the drugs found on the boat. The operator was also charged with "flouting covid norms, failing to pay entertainment tax and ignoring cyclone warnings in the Arabian sea."

James Harden and Lil Baby in Paris

Lil Baby (nee Dominique Jones) - July 8

While in Paris for Fashion Week with James Harden, the Atlanta rapper and two others were arested for possessing 20 grams of pot; the vehicle they were riding in smelled of cannabis; police searched Harden who was heard saying, "It's OK, I don't understand"; some sort of vape device was confiscated from Harden, an NBA All-Star who plays for the Nets; Lil Baby 's last album My Turn hit No. 1 in 2020; he's had six Top 10 singles. 

Nines

Nines (nee Courtney Freckleton) - June 3

On June 3, the British rapper and a friend were charged with conspiracy to import a controlled Class B drug with intent to evade a prohibition, conspiracy to supply a Class A controlled drug (cocaine), conspiracy to supply a Class B controlled drug (cannabis) and conspiracy to conceal, disguise, convert, transfer or remove criminal property. This resulted from an alleged scheme to smuggle 28 kilos of cannabis in boilers using Bitcoin from Spain and Poland to the UK. On October 1, Freckleton and Jason Thompson pled guilty to most of the charges. They both received 28-month sentences. Nine's 2020 album Crabs in a Bucket peaked at No. 1 on the British charts. On Oct. 1, NInes was sentenced to 28 months in jail.

NLE Choppa’s mug shot

• NLE Choppa (nee Bryson Potts) - March 28

Memphis rapper arrested in Davie, Florida; charged with possession of cannabis (seven grams), possession of Xanax (three pills), carrying a concealed firearm and burglary of an unoccupied structure; has had several Top 40 hits, including "Shotta Flow" in 2019.

Jon Oliva’s mug shot

Jon Oliva - Sept. 30

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra singer was arrested foir drving under the influence and cocaine possession in Pasco Country, Florida. He was released the next day on $13,000 bail. Oliva is also a member of Savatage.

Yella Beezy’s mug shot

• Yella Beezy (nee Markies Conway) - Aug. 12

The rapper was arrested on drug and guns charges after a traffic stop in Dallas. A search of the vehicle uncovered "400 grams of a controlled substance" and five firearms. A bottle of "Promethezine with Hand Sanitizer" that was also confiscatred, prompting Beezy to declare: "I'm the first rapper to go to jail for hand sanitizer." Promethezine is a common ingredient in cough syrup. Mixed with soda, it's known as drank.

 

Breakdowns

2021 Total: 11

Musicians: 7
Athletes: 3
Famous son: 1

Male: 11
Female: 0

Black: 7
White: 2
Latin: 1
Asian: 1

Florida: 3
Texas: 2
California: 1
Colorado: 1
New York: 1
England: 1
France: 1
India: 1

Celeb drug busts in 2021: 11
Celeb drug busts in 2020: 8
Celeb drug busts in 2019: 21
Celeb drug busts in 2018: 20
Celeb drug busts in 2017: 23
Celeb drug busts in 201620
Celeb drug busts in 2015: 8
Celeb drug busts in 2014: 43
Celeb drug busts in 2013: 48
Celeb drug busts in 201239
Celeb drug busts in 2011: 66

 

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Steve Bloom

Steve Bloom

Publisher of CelebStoner.com, former editor of High Times and Freedom Leaf and co-author of Pot Culture and Reefer Movie Madness.