Australian men's hockey
player Tom Craig has been released from a Paris holding cell with a warning
after being arrested for attempting to buy cocaine on Tuesday night. The 28
year old Kookaburras striker was apprehended by police just 15 minutes after
leaving a team function.
Craig was caught purchasing
a gram of cocaine from a dealer who was also arrested & found with 75
ecstasy pills & seven vials of cocaine. While the dealer remains in police
custody,Craig has been released without a fine or a criminal record.
This incident comes as a
significant distraction for the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) & the
hockey community especially following the quarterfinal exits of both the men's &
women's teams from Olympic contention. Craig who won silver at the Tokyo
Olympics & gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games had been having a strong tournament in Paris.
The Australian Olympic
Committee confirmed no charges had been laid against Craig as of Wednesday
morning in Paris time. In a statement,
they said, "The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has confirmed an
Australian hockey team member is in custody after being arrested in Paris on
August 6th. No charges have been laid. The AOC is continuing to make inquiries
and arrange support for the team member."
Craig’s arrest occurredoutside a building in the 9th arrondissement, where police witnessed thecocaine transaction. Under French law, those caught in possession of smallamounts of drugs can face on-the-spot fines as low as 150 euros ($250). A 2020law allows for such fines to be issued, reducing the need for criminal courtcases. However, prosecution can still result in up to one year of jail time,though this can often be avoided with a fine payment.
The arrest has cast a shadow
over what has otherwise been a successful campaign for Craig and his teammates.
The player from Lane Cove, New South Wales, is also the partner of rising
women's hockey player Alice Arnott, who had a breakout tournament in Paris.
