Sean “Diddy” Combs’ alleged drug courier, Brendan Paul, faces felony cocaine possession charges after his arrest last month amid federal sex trafficking allegations against the hip-hop mogul. Court documents reveal that Paul’s additional felony charge related to marijuana-laced candy has been dropped.
Paul’s attorney, Brian Bieber, entered a plea of not guilty during a brief hearing at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building in Miami, Florida, on Wednesday, April 24, as confirmed by PEOPLE.
“We will be dealing with this case in the courtroom, not the court of public opinion,” Bieber stated in a message to PEOPLE. The next hearing is scheduled for May 17.
Paul, a former basketball player for Syracuse University, was arrested on Monday, March 27, on charges of felony cocaine and marijuana possession.
According to an affidavit obtained by PEOPLE, Miami-Dade police, in collaboration with Homeland Security agents, apprehended him at Opa-Locka airport, coinciding with raids on two of Combs’ residences. The affidavit alleges that Paul was arrested after being found with suspected cocaine and marijuana in his travel bags.
Paul had been previously implicated in a civil sexual assault lawsuit brought by Combs’ former producer and videographer, Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, who claimed Paul served as Combs’ “mule,” facilitating the acquisition and distribution of drugs and guns. Paul’s bond was set at $2,500.
However, there is currently no apparent connection between his arrest and the allegations against the 54-year-old artist.
In a statement to PEOPLE on March 27, attorney Bieber asserted, “We do not plan on trying this case in the media — all issues will be dealt with in court.” The Miami-Dade police department declined to comment on the matter at the time.
On Monday, March 24, federal agents raided Combs’ residences in Miami and Los Angeles in connection with sex trafficking allegations outlined in two lawsuits against him. During the raids, FOX11 aired aerial footage showing Combs’ sons, Justin Combs, 30, and Christian ‘King’ Combs, 26, handcuffed outside their Beverly Hills home, cooperating with authorities.
At that time, Combs’ private jet reportedly landed in Antigua, while he himself was seen at the Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport with Paul.
A representative from Homeland Security Investigations addressed the situation in a statement to PEOPLE following the raids.
“Earlier today, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York executed law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation, with assistance from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami, and our local law enforcement partners. We will provide further information as it becomes available,” stated the representative.
Combs’ attorney, Aaron Dyer, criticized the raids as “a gross overuse of military-level force,” expressing concern over the treatment of Combs’ children and employees.
“There is no excuse for the excessive show of force and hostility exhibited by authorities or the way his children and employees were treated,” Dyer stated in a message to PEOPLE.
