The man who's accused of acting as Diddy's alleged "drug mule" has pleaded not guilty in his cocaine possession case.
According to a report NBC6 published on Wednesday, April 24, Brendan Paul was formally arraigned on a sole charge cocaine possession. His other possession of controlled substance charge was dropped. Paul, who did not attend the hearing, had his lawyer Brian Bieber enter a not guilty plea on his behalf. The 25-year-old former college basketball player was arrested on March 25 for carrying cocaine and marijuana-laced candy while he was with Diddy at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport.
Paul was arrested on the same day the Department of Homeland Security raided both of Diddy's homes in Los Angeles and Miami as part of their investigation into alleged sex trafficking. Diddy, his family and Paul were about to take off on the artist's private jet when they were stopped by federal agents. Authorities discovered the cocaine and marijuana candies in Paul's luggage and tested the substances on site. He was arrested and book into jail but bonded out the following day.
Prior to his involvement with Diddy, Paul played for the Syracuse men’s basketball team from 2018 to 2020. Following his run in Syracuse, Paul transferred to another school in West Virginia where he completed his business degree. He began running around with Diddy in 2022 and allegedly acted as his drug and gun carrier. Paul was named in a sexual assault lawsuit filed by Rodney "Lil Rod" Jones, who detailed Paul's partnership with the Bad Boy founder.
Video of Diddy pacing around at the airport following Paul's arrest instantly went viral. The video was shot while the raids on his homes were happening. Shortly after both searches ended, Diddy's lawyer slammed the "military-level" raid on his client's homes and maintained his innocence.
“There was a gross overuse of military-level force as search warrants were executed at Mr. Combs’ residences," attorney Aaron Dyer said in his statement. "There is no excuse for the excessive show of force and hostility exhibited by authorities or the way his children and employees were treated."