PARIS: Australian hockey player Tom Craig is in custody after being arrested in Paris, just days after the team’s Olympic campaign came to an end.
The 28-year-old Kookaburra was arrested for allegedly trying to buy cocaine, the Paris Public Prosecutor’s office said.
No charges have been laid and the Australian Olympic Committee said it was continuing to make enquiries and arrange support for Craig, whom it did not name.
The Paris Public Prosecutor’s office said an Australian was arrested outside a building in the city’s ninth arrondissement on Wednesday (AEST).
“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 office told 9news.com.au.
“In view of the quantities of narcotics seized from the seller, the investigations were entrusted to the Narcotics Squad.”
The 9th arrondissement, the trendy neighbourhood where Craig was arrested, is known for its theatres – including the famed Palais Garnier – and shopping.
Media outlet Europe 1 first broke the report of the arrest.
“The seller, carrying 75 ecstasy pills, 3g of 2 MMC and seven vials of cocaine, was also arrested,” a post by reporter Jean-Baptise Marty on X read.
Craig, from Sydney, is the partner of Hockeyroos star Alice Arnott.
He’s played more than 100 matches for the Australian team and scored in the 2-3 loss to India last week.
Both the Hockeyroos and Kookaburras were eliminated from the Olympics at the quarter-final stage this week.
