Federal authorities will prosecute the drug and gun charges that rapper Juelz Santana faces following the discovery of a loaded firearm in a bag at Newark Liberty International Airport earlier this month.

Santana had faced both state and federal charges in the matter. But the state charges were dismissed this week, as Essex County prosecutors said they would defer to federal authorities.

The 36-year-old rapper had pleaded not guilty to state charges. He remains jailed pending further hearings.

Trouble: Juelz Santana turned himself in three days after fleeing from a security checkpoint at Newark Liberty International Airport. He now faces federal drug and gun charges

Authorities say security personnel found a loaded .38-caliber handgun and oxycodone pills Santana didn't have a prescription for in a carry-on bag containing his identification at Terminal C on the evening of March 9.

They say he fled the area in a cab, leaving two bags behind. He turned himself in three days later and was arrested.

The New York City-born rapper lives in Totowa, New Jersey. His real name is LaRon James.

Santana is best known as a member of the New York-based rap group The Diplomats. He also appeared on season 7 of the reality TV show Love and Hip-Hop: New York, which in 2016.

It's not the first time he has gotten in trouble with the law: in 2011 Santana was arrested at his New Jersey recording studio after being caught with 17 bags marijuana, a pair of loaded handguns and ammunition.

Santana was arrested in 2011 after being caught with 17 bags marijuana, a pair of loaded handguns and ammunition (pictured is the mugshot from that arrest)