Rapper Lil Wayne gets probation on drug charge

Phoenix: Rapper Lil Wayne, already serving one year in a New York jail for a gun-related crime, was sentenced on Wednesday to three years probation in Arizona on a drug possession charge. Wayne, whose real name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., was spared time in an Arizona jail under a plea deal stemming from his January 2008 arrest at a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint in the state.

Under the deal, the 30-year-old Grammy winner pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a dangerous drug. Three other drug and weapons charges were dismissed. Wayne appeared in court via a video hookup from New York, where he has been jailed since March after pleading guilty to attempted criminal possession of a weapon. James Tilson, Carter`s Arizona attorney, said he was pleased with the court`s action. "We`re quite glad that we were able to wrap everything up," Tilson told Reuters. "It`s a favourable plea agreement that will allow Mr. Carter to pursue his career." Carter will begin his Arizona probation following his New York sentence, Tilson said. The rapper`s tour bus, carrying 11 others, was stopped and searched by Border Patrol authorities after they said they were alerted by a drug-sniffing dog. Agents found nearly four ounces of marijuana, an ounce of cocaine, 41 grams of Ecstasy and a .40-caliber pistol registered to Carter. Carter, whose album "Tha Carter III" was the biggest-selling U.S. release of 2008 and won him best rap album and three other prizes at the 2009 Grammy Awards. His album "Rebirth" was released on February 2 after delays and largely negative reviews. Bureau Report