Former Grizzlies Standout Tony Allen Arrested on Drug Charges in Arkansas
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POINSETT COUNTY, Ark. — Former Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen was taken into custody Wednesday during a traffic stop on Interstate 555, authorities said.
Poinsett County Sheriff Kevin Molder reported that deputies pulled over a silver vehicle traveling north near mile marker 18, close to the community of Payneway. The driver, identified as William Hatton, and his passenger, Allen, were asked to exit the car after deputies smelled marijuana inside the vehicle.
During a pat-down, officers allegedly found a package of marijuana on Allen. A subsequent search of the car uncovered a cigarette box on the passenger seat containing a white powder that field-tested positive for cocaine, according to officials. Deputies also located drug paraphernalia that Hatton admitted belonged to him.
Allen, 43, and Hatton were each charged with possession of methamphetamine or cocaine weighing less than two grams and possession of marijuana under four ounces. Hatton faces additional counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and improper lane change. Both men were booked into the Poinsett County Detention Center.
This marks Allen’s second brush with the law in recent years. In 2023, he received community service and supervised probation after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud in a case involving 18 former NBA players.
Allen played 14 NBA seasons with the Boston Celtics, Memphis Grizzlies, and New Orleans Pelicans from 2004 to 2018, earning six All-Defensive Team selections and winning a championship with the 2007-08 Celtics. The Grizzlies retired his No. 9 jersey in March 2024.
Source: Basketball Insiders
