Entertainment

Waka Flocka Flame arrested after gun found in bag at airport

/ CBS/AP

Police say rapper Waka Flocka Flame was arrested Friday after a handgun was found in his carry-on bag during a security scan at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

Atlanta police say the 28-year-old rapper, whose real name is Juaquin James Malphurs, didn't have a weapons permit. He was arrested and charged with carrying a weapon in a prohibited place.

The weapon was located in a domestic checkpoint lane at the airport, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

He was being held in the Clayton County jail. An initial court appearance was set for Saturday morning. It wasn't immediately clear if he had a lawyer.

Transportation Security Administration spokesman Mark Howell said agents have found about 1,600 guns so far this year in bags at airport security checkpoints nationwide.

In addition to any criminal penalties, Howell says the TSA can impose a fine of up to $11,000 depending on the infraction.

First published on October 10, 2014 / 5:13 PM EDT

© 2014 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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