Olympic Hockey Star Arrested After Allegedly Buying Cocaine in Paris
An Australian field hockey player has been arrested on suspicion of purchasing cocaine in Paris.
Kookaburras striker Tom Craig, 28, was arrested on Tuesday night, August 6, following a police operation in the northern Pigalle area of the French capital.
FranceInfo, a respected public broadcaster, reported that Craig “was arrested while allegedly in possession of approximately one gram of cocaine.”
Local prosecutors stated that Craig was spotted “at the foot of a building in the ninth arrondissement,” shortly after midnight.
A source told FranceInfo: “The police arrested two men in the middle of a transaction.”
The investigation is being conducted by the Narcotics Brigade of Paris police.
In a statement, the Australian Olympic Committee confirmed that “an Australian hockey team member is in custody after being arrested in Paris on August 6.”
“No charges have been laid,” it said. “The AOC is continuing to make inquiries and arrange support for the team member.”
It is understood that Craig was arrested just 15 minutes after leaving an Australian team function.
The unnamed seller was described as a 17-year-old who was “behaving like a dealer,” according to a prosecuting source. He was allegedly carrying seven vials of cocaine, 75 ecstasy tablets, and three grams of Mephedrone.
As the alleged dealer is legally a minor, he cannot be named.
Craig remained in custody as of late Wednesday morning, Paris time.