Criminal defense: Rapper Big 30 faces drug charges

The Brookside Police Department has confirmed the arrest of noted rapper Rodney “Big 30” Wright, according to local sources. The rapper, who is not from Alabama, was arrested in Jefferson County on Oct. 1. Police say he is facing multiple drug charges. He is likely focused on preparing his criminal defense at this time.

According to the report, it appears that around 4 a.m. officers from the Brookside Narcotics Interdiction unit pulled over a rental vehicle heading west on Interstate 22, in which Mr. Wright was a passenger. He and the driver were pulled over and the vehicle was searched. It is unclear from the report what prompted the search.

Police said they found some $17,000 in cash, a loaded Glock handgun, as well as an indeterminate amount of marijuana, codeine and promethazine, all allegedly packaged for individiual sale. Both men were arrested on the scene. The driver was charged with a misdemeanor for possession of marijuana and was released on bond.

Mr. Wright, however, has pending charges from his home state as well as alleged gang ties. He was charged with felony possession of marijuana in the first degree, drug paraphernalia, unlawful possession of a firearm, and several other charges. He was transferred to a county jail on Oct. 3 after cooperating with police on the scene. It is unclear whether he will be extradited to his home state for trial regarding the previously filed charges.

Regardless of where future court proceedings take place, Mr. Wright will surely benefit from the support of a criminal defense attorney at every stage of the proceedings. His attorney will carefully review all facts of the case as they pertain to the charges against Mr. Wright in order to prepare a meaningful defense against them. It is the role of Alabama prosecutors, or the prosecutors in his home state, to prove the applicable criminal charges in court and beyond a reasonable doubt, a standard that is intentionally difficult to meet so as to safeguard the rights of all individuals accused of committing a crime.