The Boston Globe is reporting that New England Patriots lineman Nick Kaczur was arrested in April and charged with illegal possession of painkillers.
After he was arrested Kaczur reportedly than secretly cooperated with federal Drug Enforcement Administration in a sting operation that resulted in the indictment of an alleged drug supplier.
Kaczur, a 28-year-old, 315-pound offensive tackle, wore a hidden recording device during three drug transactions in May at gas stations in Foxboro and North Attleborough and a supermarket parking lot in Sharon.
At the three transactions Kaczur paid $3,900 for 100 OxyContin pills. Federal agents arrested the dealer, Daniel Ekasala, moments after the third transaction.
According to DEA documents Kaczur had been buying 100 pills every few days Since November of 2007 spending thousands of dollars over time.
Kaczur on Tuesday denied any involvement in purchases or a sting operation when approached by a Globe reporter at his North Attleboro home saying “I don’t know what you’re talking about, bro,” repeatedly, in response to questions about the investigation. “I don’t know where this is coming from. I don’t know what you are talking about.”
An NFL spokesman, Greg Aiello, said Tuesday night that misusing prescription drugs is a violation of the league’s substance-abuse policies and that players face escalating sanctions for repeated violations.
Aiello declined to speak directly to the case involving Kaczur. “It’s a law enforcement matter, and any questions should be directed to the appropriate law enforcement agencies,” he said.
Kaczur was arrested when he was stopped for driving 76 miles an hour in a 65-mile-per-hour zone on the New York State Thruway in Whitestown NY. When police pulled him over they discovered a “small amount of controlled substance for which he did not have a prescription,” according to New York State Police Sergeant Kern Swoboda. The trooper identified the substance as oxycodone and said Kaczur was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, which is a misdemeanor.
Patriots spokesman Stacey James says Kaczur is still on the team. The club just signed tackle Oliver Ross to a contract Monday, he plays the same position as Kaczur.
It’s funny how he denies the whole thing. He must not be able to talk about it publicly.
I’m sure that’s a major part of it. You have to wonder if he told the Patriots about this when he was first arrested or if they’re just finding out about it now.
The attorney for the dealer says his client sold Kaczur the drugs because he was basically star-struck. Dude it’s Nick Kaczur not Tom Brady.
Kaczur’s arrest is in more detail from the Boston Globe.
Kaczur pleaded guilty to a speeding charged and paid a fine of $355 the drug charges are on a 6-month hold and if he stays clean they will be dropped. He also has to submit to any treatment or testing set forth by the Patriots or the NFL.