U.S. Rapper Wiz Khalifa Receives 9-Month Sentence in Romania for Drug Possession
American rapper Wiz Khalifa has been sentenced to nine months in prison in Romania following an incident involving drug possession. The ruling came from a court in Constanta, Romania, on a Thursday, over a year after his performance at a local music festival.
Background of the Incident
The case stems from an event in July 2024 during the Beach, Please! Festival at Costinesti, a coastal resort in Constanta County. While performing, Khalifa allegedly smoked cannabis on stage, an act that caught the attention of Romanian authorities.
Details of the Sentence
Khalifa, whose real name is Cameron Jibril Thomaz, was reportedly found with over 18 grams of cannabis in his possession during the police intervention. The Constanta Court of Appeal ruled that he committed “possession of dangerous drugs, without right, for personal consumption.” This decision is final and follows an April ruling where Khalifa was fined 3,600 lei, approximately $1,140 CAD, for the same offense. Prosecutors, seeking a tougher penalty, appealed the earlier decision, leading to the current sentence.
Romanian Drug Laws
Romania has some of the strictest drug laws in Europe. The possession of cannabis for personal use is considered a criminal offense, which can lead to prison sentences ranging from three months to two years or heavy fines.
Future Implications
It remains uncertain whether Romanian authorities will pursue extradition, given that Khalifa is a U.S. citizen and does not reside in Romania. The 38-year-old artist gained fame through his mixtape “Kush + Orange Juice” and remains a prominent figure in the music industry.
During his performance last summer in Romania, he was seen smoking a large, hand-rolled cigarette while singing “Young, Wild & Free,” one of his popular tracks. This incident ultimately led to his current legal troubles.
