What are the charges against former Syracuse player, Diddy’s “mule”, Brendan Paul?

Last week, rapper Sean Combs aka Puff Daddy/P Diddy had his homes in Los Angeles and Miami raided by federal agents amidst an alleged sex trafficking probe. One man and three women have filed lawsuits accusing Diddy of sexual assault, sex trafficking, and illegally selling narcotics and firearms. Although he has not been officially arrested yet, someone else involved has.

Former Syracuse guard Brendan Paul was arrested on Monday at the Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport on felony charges of possession of suspected cocaine and possession of suspected marijuana edibles, both of which were found in his luggage. On Tuesday, he was released on a $2,500 bond and will be tried on April 24.

Who is Brendan Paul?

Record producer Rodney Jones filed a lawsuit against Diddy in February which mentioned that Paul was his “drug mule”. He said that Paul “acquires and distributes Mr. Combs’ drugs and guns.” So far, there is no evidence that the drugs found in Paul’s bags are associated with Diddy in any way.

Paul played for the Syracuse basketball team, starting as a walk-on guard in 2018 and playing for another two seasons until 2020. He played in 16 games across his freshman and sophomore year and then transferred to Fairmont State for the 2020-21 season.

TMZ published Paul’s mugshot. His name appeared 11 times in Jones’ lawsuit and photos of he and Combs together were submitted to support the claims. He has also been accused of aiding and abetting Diddy in the alleged sex trafficking. He himself posted photos of he and Diddy together in September 2023 while they were working on “The Love Album” and in October, he posted a picture of a private jet with the caption “visceral”.