Paul, who joined the Orange as a walk-on in 2018, was mentioned in a complaint in February.
Two drug-related accusations led to the arrest of former Syracuse guard Brendan Paul on Monday, according to Miami-Dade (Florida) County police records. According to law officials and the Associated Press, the arrest occurred as federal authorities searched the homes of rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs in Los Angeles and Miami as part of a purported investigation into sex trafficking.
According to an arrest document that USA TODAY was able to obtain, Paul was detained at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport on felony charges for possessing suspected cocaine and suspected marijuana candy. According to the affidavit, the police discovered edibles and cocaine in Paul’s luggage. Paul’s hearing is scheduled for April 24 and he was freed on a $2,500 bail on Tuesday.
This arrest had nothing to do with the raid on Combs’ homes, despite the coincidence of date. However, Paul’s name has surfaced in relation to Combs’s alleged involvement in sex trafficking.
Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones accused Combs of sexually assaulting both men and women in a federal complaint he filed back in February. Jones said that Paul “serves as Mr. Combs’ mule.” He buys and sells Mr. Combs’ firearms and narcotics.” The claims of sexual assault against Combs were refuted in December.
“We do not plan on trying this case in the media — all issues will be dealt with in court,” Paul’s lawyer, Brian Bieber, stated to The Athletic.
Paul walked on to the Syracuse men’s basketball team in 2018 and participated in 16 games across the course of two seasons. At Division-II Fairmont State, where he played in 35 games over two seasons for the Fighting Falcons, he concluded his collegiate career.