2 Chainz arrested on drug charges in Maryland

Rapper 2 Chainz has been arrested in Maryland, where he was performing at a college homecoming event, over drug possession.

Maryland State Police spokesman Sgt. Marc Black said troopers stopped a van Thursday night about 9:15 p.m. for speeding near Easton, Maryland., and smelled a strong odor of burnt marijuana in the van.

A backpack in the van had a marijuana grinder and trace amounts of marijuana, police said.

2 Chianz, whose real name is Tauheed Epps, claimed possession of the backpack and was arrested, police said.

The rapper was cited for having drug paraphernalia and marijuana and was released. The citation carries up to a year in jail and up to a $1,000 fine.

Last year, 2 Chainz released his solo debut, Based on a T.R.U. Story, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Charts and has achieved gold status.

2 Chainz also has several Top 10 hits on the R&B/Hip-Hop charts as both a lead and featured artist.

After the arrest, 2 Chainz’ website tweeted a photograph that appears to show him posing with two police officers.

Sgt. Marc Black said the Maryland State Police could not confirm the authenticity of the photograph but is investigating.

“Locked me up and then Wanted pictures smh,” read one tweet, using the abbreviation for shaking my head.

2 Chianz was scheduled to perform Thursday evening at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. His website later tweeted a photo from the stage and wrote the “show must go on”.