Green’s Dictionary of Slang

sniff a powder v.

[var. on take a run-out powder under run-out powder n.]

(US black) to leave fast, to run away.

[US]D. Burley Orig. Hbk of Harlem Jive 17: The Lane [...] came up with a kill joy, who tagged the play with a slammer issue (but the skull sniffed a powder).