Lil Wayne Seeks Lesser Ariz. Drug Charge

YUMA — Lawyers for rapper Lil Wayne have filed a motion in Yuma County Superior Court to reduce a charge of possession of drugs for sale.

The 25-year-old rapper, whose real name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., was indicted last month on one count each of possession of a narcotic drug for sale, possession of dangerous drugs, misconduct involving weapons and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Carter's attorney James Tilson said Friday that the original complaint given to the grand jury stated his client was in possession of about 29 grams of cocaine when he was arrested in January.

But Tilson contends a lab report shows that Carter had fewer than eight grams, not including the weight of the packaging.

In Arizona, there is a statutory presumption that possession of nine grams or more means an intent to sell, Tilson said. It could also mean the difference between jail time and probation.

A May 13 hearing is scheduled on the motion to remand the case back to the grand jury.

The rapper was arrested after his tour bus was stopped on Jan. 22 at a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint near Dateland, Ariz., 78 miles east of Yuma.

Authorities said a search of the bus by Drug Enforcement Administration agents yielded nearly four ounces of marijuana, slightly more than one ounce of cocaine, 41 grams of Ecstasy and miscellaneous drug paraphernalia.

Also found was a .40-caliber pistol registered to Carter, who has a concealed weapons permit in Florida.

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