Rapper DMX incurred charges for marijuana possession and several driving violations after being pulled over by police in the Buffalo, N.Y., suburb of Cheektowaga, in the wee hours of Friday morning.

Following Thursday night's Cash Money/Ruff Ryders concert in Buffalo, police detained DMX, when at 3:25 a.m. he was seen driving 65 m.p.h. in a 50 m.p.h. zone and changing lanes without signaling. According to the Cheektowaga officer handling the case, DMX's car was searched and found to contain a small amount of marijuana. Upon checking his license with the Department of Motor Vehicles, the police discovered that the rapper, born Earl Simmons, was driving with only a learner's permit, and that that permit had been suspended after he was caught driving without insurance.

He was hauled into jail and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle, driving without a license, speeding, failure to signal, failure to notify the DMV of an address change and unlawful possession of marijuana. He was detained until morning and then released on $2,000 bail. He is due to appear in Cheektowaga court on March 21.

JENNY ELISCU
(March 6, 2000)