Justin Bieber: Drugs ‘In Plain View’ During Sheriff’s Search; Pal Lil Za Arrested

Los Angeles Sheriff’s Deputies searching Justin Bieber’s Calabasas, California house in a shocking Tuesday raid made a felony drug arrest of the singer’s friend, Lil Za.

At first it was thought the powdered substance was cocaine. Tests are now underway, but authorities tentatively believe it to be Xanax and “Molly” — otherwise known as ecstasy.

At a Tuesday press conference after the search, Lieutenant Dave Thompson said the drugs bust was “unrelated” to the investigation of Bieber. He added the drugs were found in Za’s “personal bedroom” on the property.

Lil Za’s real name is Xavier Dominic Smith. He was one of eight people detained – including Justin – while the 8 am start search took place.

As The Los Angeles Times reports, Sheriff’s spokesman Steve Whitmore said it’s common practice for people to be detained during a search, and said the group was “cooperative.”

Bieber was served with a felony search warrant after 12 deputies swooped his house in search of “video surveillance or other relevant evidence,” linking him to an egg-throwing incident at his neighbor’s house last Thursday, January 9.

Earlier, Whitmore told the New York Daily News, “We’re looking for anything we might need to move this investigation forward.”

Bieber had been named as a suspect in a misdemeanor vandalism and assault investigation. But, at the first press conference, Lieutenant Dave Thompson told reporters the offense has been reclassified to a felony because of the damages involved.

“The felony comes from the dollar amount of the damage,” he told the press. “This residence sustained a great amount of damage that easily achieved the amount. I get that the eggs don’t seem that significant, but it does rise to the level of a felony.”

He continued: “We didn’t do this search warrant to send a message, that’s not what we do. This has nothing to do with him [Bieber] being a celebrity. This is a felony crime.”

The neighbor reported $20,000 worth of damages on Monday. It’s claimed damages to the venetian plaster work at the front of the house — also wood, brick, paint, and doors — sent repairs costs north.

Quizzed about Lil Za’s drug arrest, Thompson said, “The cocaine I believe was in plain view of the deputies when they were looking for the other evidence,” [the later re-evaluation was still to come].

The rapper was held on $20,000 bond but made bail.

Thompson added the size of the search was about being cautious as it was unknown what they would find at the singer’s house.

“I don’t believe Mr. Bieber answered any questions,” Thompson said, adding he didn’t have a lawyer present but a security team.

Tensions between Justin and his neighbors are historical. He has been accused of throwing loud parties and was twice investigated after he was accused of spitting at and threatening a neighbor last March, and reckless driving in the community last May. Prosecutors declined to bring charges against the singer.

Last Thursday, the neighbor partially filmed the egg assault which allegedly took place while he and his 13-year-old daughter watched Bieber pelt the front of their house with around 20 eggs. An expletive-filled spat between the neighbor and an unseen male – allegedly Justin – is heard on the TMZ-posted clip.

While authorities said they don’t know what might have prompted the egging, the possibility of provocation may be a factor.

Thompson confirmed Bieber remains a suspect in the incident, saying, “The investigation is ongoing. He was not arrested, nor exonerated at this time.”