Getty Image
An Australian Olympic field hockey player was arrested after allegedly attempting to purchase cocaine in Paris, according to police.
9 News in Australia reported on Wednesday that the Paris Public Prosecutor’s office confirmed one of Australia’s field hockey players, Tom Craig, 28, was in custody.
“I can confirm that police officers who witnessed a cocaine transaction at the foot of a building in the 9th arrondissement, on the night of 6 to 7 August, arrested the seller, born in December 2006, and the buyer, born in September 1995 in Australia and who is said to be a member of the Australian field hockey team,” a spokesperson for the Paris Public Prosecutor’s office told 9 News
“In view of the quantities of narcotics seized from the seller, the investigations were entrusted to the Narcotics Squad.”
The 9th arrondissement, located on the Right Bank of Paris, is known for its theaters, museums, bakeries, cafes, restaurants, hotels and shopping.
“An Australian hockey team member is in custody after being arrested in Paris on August 6. No charges have been laid. The AOC is continuing to make enquiries and arrange support for the team member,” the Australian Olympic Committee said in a statement.
Europe 1 reporter Jean-Baptiste Marty reported that “the seller, carrying 75 ecstasy tablets, 3g of 3 MMC and 7 vials of cocaine, was also arrested.”
Tom Craig, from Sydney, was reportedly arrested 15 minutes after leaving a team function. He was later released from jail with a warning, the Herald-Sun reports.
He received no fine and he will not have any criminal record as a result of his arrest.
The Australian men’s field hockey team, which won the silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, was eliminated from the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in the quarter-finals this week after losing to the Netherlands 2-0 earlier this week.