Report: Mike Richards detained at Canadian border over OxyContin
Mike Richards is under investigation by the Manitoban arm of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police after he was allegedly found in possession of OxyContin pills while crossing the U.S.-Canada border on June 17, the Winnipeg Sun reported. TMZ first reported the news.
The former Los Angeles Kings player was reportedly detained and questioned at the Emerson, Man., border crossing, which is at the intersection of the North Dakota, Minnesota and Manitoba borders. Richards has not been charged with a crime.
The Kings had been in talks to either trade Richards or buy him out of his current contract. On Monday the Kingsterminated Richards' contract for what they called a “material breach of the requirements of his Standard Player’s Contract." The team reportedly first learned of Richards' detainment during the first round of Friday's NHL draft.
• MUIR: L.A. Kings dodge buyout, terminate Mike Richards' contract
Richards was slated to make an average of $5.75 million per season over the next five seasons under his contract.
“We are not prepared to provide any more detail or to discuss the underlying grounds for the contract termination at this time,” the Kings said in a statement.
OxyContin is the brand name of oxycodone, a narcotic pain reliever that is legal with a prescription.
"A person crossing the border with the pills, but no prescription, would face having them seized and could be charged with possession under the Criminal Code's Controlled Drugs and Substances Act or with smuggling under the Canada Customs Act," the Sun reported.
The RCMP and Canadian Border Services would neither confirm nor deny an investigation involving Mike Richards to the Sun.