Former Syracuse basketball player Brendan Paul was taken into custody on Monday on charges related to drugs, according to records from Miami-Dade County police. The arrest occurred as federal agents conducted searches at properties owned by rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs in Los Angeles and Miami as part of an alleged investigation into sex trafficking, law enforcement sources informed the Associated Press.
Paul, who earned a spot on the Syracuse team as a walk-on in 2018, faces two felony charges for alleged possession of cocaine and marijuana-infused candy, as detailed in an arrest affidavit obtained by USA TODAY. Officers reportedly discovered the substances in Paul’s luggage at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport. He was released on a $2,500 bond on Tuesday and is scheduled for a hearing on April 24.
Although Paul’s arrest coincided with the raids on Combs’ properties, authorities clarified that there was no direct connection between the two events. Nonetheless, Paul’s name has been linked to the ongoing allegations of sex trafficking involving Combs.
In February, a federal lawsuit filed by Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones accused Combs of sexually abusing both men and women. In the lawsuit, Jones claimed that Paul “operates as Mr. Combs’ courier, obtaining and distributing drugs and firearms on his behalf.” Combs has vehemently denied the accusations of sexual assault since December.
Brian Bieber, Paul’s attorney, emphasized that the case would be addressed exclusively in court, stating, “We do not intend to litigate this matter through the media.”
Paul began his basketball career at Syracuse, where he played in 16 games over two seasons after joining as a walk-on in 2018. He later transferred to Division-II Fairmont State, where he competed in 35 games across two seasons for the Fighting Falcons.
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