MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Tony Allen, the former Memphis Grizzlies star arrested on drug possession charges in Arkansas, says he did not know there were drugs in the car he was a passenger in.

Allen, known to fans as The Grindfather, released a statement Thursday on his Instagram account.

"I want to be very clear: I was not in possession of, nor was I aware of, the illegal drugs found in the vehicle that belonged to the driver. I have never used cocaine or methamphetamine, and these substances do not reflect who I am or my values," Allen wrote.

Allen, 43, was booked Wednesday afternoon after a traffic stop on Interstate 555 near Payneway, Arkansas. Poinsett County Sheriff Kevin Molder said Allen was a passenger in a car driven by William Hatton.

A deputy detected an odor of marijuana and conduc

See Full Page