Canadian cricket captain arrested on drug charges

He returned to Canada a few days ago after a trip to Namibia. From there, he took an Air Canada flight to his native Barbados.

But on Sunday, he was arrested by local police upon arrival at Barbados' Grantley Adams International Airport. He has been in police custody since then.

The man who was arrested by Barbados police from the airport is Nicholas Carton; the captain of the Canadian national cricket team! He also played in the T20 World Cup held in the United States and West Indies last year.

Jamaican daily 'The Gleaner' reported serious allegations behind the arrest of 26-year-old batting all-rounder Carton. Carton is said to be involved in the supply of 20 pounds (more than 9 kg) of marijuana seized at the airport.

The media report said that he has been taken into custody as a suspect. Now he will assist the police in this regard.

Barbados' drug laws were slightly relaxed in 2015. A licensing system has also been introduced for the cultivation of cannabis. According to the country's revised law, a person can possess a maximum of 2 ounces (about 57 grams) of cannabis and it will not be considered a criminal offense. But carrying this amount of cannabis in public can result in a fine. The amount of cannabis seized by police at the airport is about 160 times the permitted limit.

The North America Cup begins in the Cayman Islands on April 18. Canada is also scheduled to play there. But the news of captain Carton's arrest two weeks before the tournament begins has come as a major blow to the team. His involvement in the police investigation has raised doubts about his performance in the tournament.