DJ Vlad denies that his urban news channel, Vlad TV, is involved with the RICO arrests of Big U and Bricc Baby.
Earlier this week, Big U, Bricc, and several other alleged gang members were named in 'Operation Draw Down,' landing Rolling 60s Neighborhood Crips members in custody. On Wednesday (March 19), Eugene 'Big U' Henley, a former manager of the late Nipsey Hussle, surrendered to authorities, as he was accused of leading a criminal enterprise connected to the aforementioned gang.
The ten suspects, including rapper Luce Cannon, are accused of various felonies, including drug trafficking, racketeering, and firearms offenses. But in a new interview with TMZ, Vlad claims that in his interviews with Big U and Bricc, their active cases were not discussed.
"I think in this particular case, Vlad TV doesn't have anything to do with this case," Vlad told the outlet. "Bricc Baby was a regular guest on the show. Big U had done an interview some years back, really just talking about things they had done in the far past and a life they had essentially left behind. There is no act of anything being talked about in our interviews."
Vlad also expressed that he didn't see the takedown coming and was "shocked" that Big U was arrested, as the music executive claimed to never have been in the Rollin' 60s.
"At the end of the day, these situations happen around people that are continuing to do criminal enterprises outside of their career as an entertainer," Vlad said. ... "But, if you notice, none of these cases have anything to do with interviews."
The hip-hop personality added that it's "snitches" and incriminating evidence being shared on social media that can get individuals caught up.
Bricc was formerly a host of the hip-hop interview show No Jumper, to which host Adam 22 hopped on Instagram Stories and vehemently denied being the reason for the arrest.
In the sweeping RICO indictment, Big U was alleged to have run a "mafia-like organization," and along with several others, was accused of murder, extortion, robbery, human trafficking, and more.
"The allegations in the complaint unsealed today reveal a criminal enterprise that engaged in murder, extortion, human trafficking, and fraud -- all led by a supposed anti-gang activist and purported music entrepreneur who was nothing more than a violent street criminal,'" U.S. Attorney Joseph McNally said, per ABC 7.
Vlad also spoke about the situation on No Jumper, which you can watch the episode above.