Rap Tour Bus Busted in West Memphis

A tour bus was pulled over for speeding in West Memphis, Arkansas Monday night. Police say they were met with a cloud of marijuana smoke. But after the smoke cleared, 8 men claiming to be rappers were arrested. Drugs and cash were seized, and officers found a federal police badge inside.

The incident occurred on I-40 near exit 276. According to West Memphis Police Chief Robert Paudert, "The criminal interdiction unit last night was working the interstates as they normally do, they saw this tour bus coming through."

The bus was pulled over for doing 70 in a 65. Paudert stated that there may have also been a problem with the registration.

West Memphis Police Officers approached the bus and the driver got out. Seconds later officers asked the passengers to open the rear door. When they did the odor of marijuana was strong and a billow of smoke came from the tour bus.
"We understand they might be an opening act for some group," said Paudert.

8 passengers were inside. Police searched the bus and found drugs and cash.

"They recovered 18 or 19 bags of marijuana, they recovered a jar of marijuana and they recovered 110 ecstasy tablets," said Paudert.

In addition to the drugs, officers found envelopes containing more than $8,000.

All 8 were arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to sale or deliver.

Two of the men arrested were Ronald Bean, aka 'DJ Mathematics,' and Patrick Charles, aka 'Streetlife.' They sometimes perform with the rap group Wu-Tang Clan.

Wu-Tang's Method Man played a show in Tunica this weekend with Snoop Dog, but was not with the group on the bus.

All 8 suspects were transported to the Crittenden County jail where they'll stay before they face a judge Friday.

Investigators said they also made an unusual find - a federal Homeland Security badge in the possession of Patrick Charles.

"We don't know if they had another concert planned or where they were going," said Paudert. "We just know they were on that bus coming through here and had a lot of drugs on the bus, actually participating in drug use, so they went to jail."

The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security are also investigating how Patrick Charles got the federal badge.