Rapper Kodak Black was apprehended this week in central Florida on charges related to drug trafficking, marking his latest encounter with law enforcement. The artist, whose legal name is Bill Kapri, was detained at Orange County jail on Wednesday for trafficking MDMA, a synthetic substance commonly known as ecstasy or molly. Kapri officially pleaded not guilty and demanded a jury trial the following day, opting out of appearing in person for a future court hearing.
The arrest unfolded subsequent to a police response in December to reports of gunfire in an Orlando neighborhood. Upon arrival, officers discovered a group of individuals congregating near high-end cars, including Kapri, as detailed in a police statement. During a search of a Lamborghini SUV, an officer observed a white substance on a $100 bill, redolent of cannabis, leading to a thorough inspection that revealed a pink bag containing MDMA, $37,000 US, and various documents bearing Kapri’s name.
The distinctive pink bag corresponded to one showcased in a photo posted by Kapri on his Instagram account. Authorities noted the presence of a unique lighter from the photo within the bag. Despite everyone present disavowing ownership of the bag, including Kapri, he claimed the money was business-related and requested its return.
Representatives Ambrosia Healy and Kevin Young from Universal Music Group, who advocate for Kapri, did not provide a response to an email requesting comment. Kapri was subsequently released on bail Thursday evening, as confirmed by a spokesperson from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
Kapri has encountered legal issues in the past. In 2023, authorities in Plantation, Fla., detained him after discovering him asleep in a vehicle with traces of white powder around his mouth. Although initial tests indicated the powder was cocaine, a subsequent lab analysis revealed it to be oxycodone, for which Kapri possessed a valid prescription. This incident violated his probation from an unrelated case, resulting in a two-month incarceration in Miami.
Additionally, Kapri was arrested in 2022 on charges of oxycodone trafficking and possessing a controlled substance without a prescription. After being released on bond with mandatory drug testing, he was directed to attend a 30-day drug rehabilitation program in 2023 for failing a drug test and subsequently testing positive for fentanyl. Notably, in January 2021, former President Donald Trump commuted a three-year federal prison sentence that Kapri was serving for fabricating documents to acquire firearms. Kapri, under his moniker Kodak Black, has achieved substantial success in the music industry, with over 30 million singles sold and notable hits like “Super Gremlin,” which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2022.