An informant has told police that Zach Randolph is a major marijuana supplier in Indianapolis. 6News has the story, but thanks to Black Sports Online for the find.
According to a probable cause affidavit, a trusted police informant identified Memphis Grizzlies player Zach Randolph as a major marijuana supplier in Indianapolis, 6News’ Jack Rinehart reported.
Narcotics officers were staking out a suspected drug house on Indianapolis’ north side two weeks ago when they pulled over Arthur Boyd, 32, soon after he left the residence, near 75th Street and Binford Avenue, police said.
According to the affidavit, the Cadillac Escalade that Boyd was driving was registered to Randolph, and police found marijuana and ammunition stowed inside.
“One of his vehicles had what we call hidden compartments that contained suspected narcotics, that being marijuana,” said Lt. Jeff Duhamell.
Based on information found in the Escalade, police later raided a northeast side storage facility, where they said Randolph rents four lockers.
According to the affidavit, a police K-9 alerted to controlled substances in two of the four units, and police found more cars with secret compartments inside.
At this point, it appears that the police have some circumstantial evidence and the word of an informant. While it is troubling that vehicles and lockers owned by Randolph contained illegal substances, it is possible that he wasn’t aware of what’s going on. It’s not likely, but it’s possible.
Either way, it’s a dumb thing to do. If you’re going to buy one of your buddies a gift, just give it to him — don’t keep ownership of the vehicle. And why does Randolph rent four lockers in Indianapolis? And if he was aware of what was going on, or is/was involved in a drug ring, what is he thinking? He’s a professional basketball player and makes millions and millions of dollars every season. Why would he moonlight as a drug dealer?
Randolph’s attorney says that his client isn’t involved in any drug ring and is very upset about this news because he has worked hard to repair his image. Aside from a drunk driving arrest in 2009, Randolph has cleaned up his act in recent years after a long history of trouble with the law:
Randolph has a long criminal history. He was convicted of battery and sentenced to house arrest in 1997, and spent time in a juvenile detention center in 1999 for selling a stolen gun.
Three years later, he was arrested on charges of underage drinking, and faced charges in Portland after police said they could smell marijuana coming from his car.
A few weeks ago, Randolph insisted that he deserved Pau Gasol-type money, and this latest stint of trouble is obviously going to make that kind of extension a long shot at best.
Photo from fOTOGLIF
