Australian Olympic hockey player Tom Craig arrested in Paris trying to buy cocaine

Australian hockey player Tom Craig has been arrested but released without charge after trying to purchase cocaine in Paris.

Paris public prosecutor's office confirmed a 28-year-old Australian was arrested on Tuesday evening, local time, after being seen by police attempting to buy the illicit substance.

No charges were laid.

"I'd firstly like to apologise for what has occurred over the past 24 hours. I made a terrible mistake, and I take full responsibility for my actions," Craig said outside a Paris police station.

"My actions are my own and by no way reflect the values of family, my teammates, my friends, my sport and the Australian Olympic team.

"I've embarrassed you all, and I'm truly sorry."

The prosecutor's office said Craig was released with a warning.

"After being held in police custody, the hockey player was presented to a delegate of the prosecutor, and issued with a criminal warning for use of narcotics," a statement read.

Australia's chef de mission said Craig was a "good person who made a bad decision".

"I cannot condone what Tom has done. He is a good person who made a bad decision. But there are consequences for decisions like this," Meares said.

"He has apologised, shown remorse, he has owned up to his mistake, and we will support him if he needs help.

"As a result, Tom will lose all his remaining Olympic privileges. He had already moved out of the Olympic village, and I understand he was not intending to return for the closing ceremony. If he were, he would not be able to attend."

The Paris prosecutor's office said the Australian was arrested after officers witnessed an attempt to purchase cocaine in the 9th arrondissement.

"Police officers who witnessed a cocaine transaction at the foot of a building in the 9th arrondissement, on the night of August 6 to 7, arrested the seller, born in December 2006, and the buyer, born in September 1995 in Australia and said to be a member of the Australian field hockey team."

The Australian men's hockey team, the Kookaburras, were knocked out of the Olympics after a loss to the Netherlands in a quarterfinal on Sunday.

The 28-year-old Craig, a silver medallist at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago, has played more than 100 games for the national side.

Story by Michael Doyle

Original story link here https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-08-07/paris-olympic-games-australian-hockey-player-arrested/104197622