MIAMI (AP) — Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem was arrested Sunday for possession of marijuana following a traffic stop in Miami-Dade County.
Haslem, 30, was stopped in a 2008 Mercedes around 3:05 p.m. on the Gratigny Parkway because of speeding, Florida Highway Patrol spokesman Sgt. Mark Wysocky said. The trooper smelled “an odor of marijuana from within the vehicle,” Wysocky wrote in a press release, leading to the arrest of both Haslem and passenger Antwain Fleming, 33.
“After the subsequent search, Mr. Haslem and Mr. Fleming were placed under arrest,” Wysocky wrote.
According to Miami-Dade court records, Haslem was charged with possessing more than 20 grams of marijuana, a felony which could bring maximum punishments of a $5,000 fine and a five-year prison sentence.
Haslem was released on bond shortly after 10 p.m.
Both Haslem’s agent, Henry Thomas, and Heat officials said they were collecting information and did not have any immediate comment.
Court records said Fleming was charged with possessing less than 20 grams of marijuana, a misdemeanor that could bring a $1,000 fine and one-year prison term.
Haslem has spent all seven of his NBA seasons with the Heat, and the South Florida native signed a new five-year contract to stay with the team last month.
“He is our anchor, he is a true warrior and a great professional,” Heat president Pat Riley said in July, after Haslem announced he would forgo higher-paying offers elsewhere to stay in Miami and not only continue playing alongside Dwyane Wade, but stay to be teammates with marquee acquisitions LeBron James and Chris Bosh as well.
During his NBA career, Haslem has averaged 10.0 points and 8.1 rebounds for Miami, plus helped the Heat win the 2006 NBA championship.