Anthony “Geezy” Gonzalez, who at one time was the lead manager for hip-hop duo the Clipse, has been charged with leading a $10 million drug ring and will face an 82-count indictment for drug trafficking.
According to the Virginian-Pilot, Gonzalez is accused of being part of a ring that distributed more than a ton of marijuana and more than 100 pounds of cocaine since 2003 throughout Virginia and at least six other states and parts of South America. Also connected in the ring, according to the report, is an unidentified police officer.
Gonzalez, 34, reportedly turned himself into police in Miami on Tuesday (April 28), and is scheduled to appear before a federal magistrate there on Wednesday afternoon. He will be returned to Hampton Roads, Virginia, to face the indictment.
Gonzalez’s current relationship with the group was unclear at press time, but the Virginian-Pilot states that he managed the group through at least 2006.
Besides working with the Clipse, Gonzalez is reportedly the owner of the Encore Lounge nightclub in Norfolk, Virginia. That establishment closed earlier this year after more than 100 incidents of violence, shootings, drug dealing and disorderly conduct, according to the report.
Gonzalez played a role in the Clipse’ rise to their current status as one of the most viable groups in hip-hop. While the group has not been an enormous commercial success, brothers Malice and Pusha T developed a strong core following and remain a credible entity in hip-hop. The duo are working with such stalwarts as Kanye West, Cam’ron and Pharrell Williams on their new album, Till The Casket Drops.
At press time, neither the Clipse nor their representatives were available for comment.
