Former MLB player, Esteban Loaiza, has been arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking. The former all-star pitcher was arrested after 20 kilograms (44 pounds) were found at a home in Southern California that he was renting.
According to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, Loaiza was booked this past Friday on charges involving the possession, transport, and sale of $500,000 worth of suspected cocaine. He is currently being held at San Diego's South Bay Detention facility awaiting a court appearance on Wednesday. Loaiza was unable to pay the set bail of $200,000.
John Boggs, Loaiza's agent, informed the San Francisco Chronicle that he had no information on the arrest. "I am shocked and saddened by the news and had no indication he would ever be in this type of situation," Boggs said in a text to the newspaper. "I don't know how he would get himself involved in this, so it's difficult to even comment on it."
Loaiza was stopped for a minor traffic infraction on Friday, and during the search, the police found a hidden compartment used to conceal contraband. This led officials to obtain a search warrant for his home and that is where they found the packages containing a white powder. The powder is still being tested, but it's believed to be cocaine.
Loaiza played for multiple teams during 1995 and 2008. He began his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates and ended it with the Chicago White Sox. During his career, Loaiza was a two-time All-Star and had 126 wins. He had the second-most wins in league history for a Mexican-born pitcher.
Source: espn.com
