If anyone was waiting for the other shoe to drop on the Mike Richards fiasco, it did today.
Richards was formally charged with possession of a controlled substance while entering Canada.
Mike Richards charged for Possession of Controlled Substance while entering Canada. To appear in court Sep10/15. No further updates #rcmpmb
— RCMP Manitoba (@rcmpmb) August 27, 2015As stated in the tweet by Manitoba police, Richards is set to appear in court on September 10th.
Some of you may be wondering what exactly a "Controlled substance" is. So, from wikipedia:
A controlled substance is generally a drug or chemical whose manufacture, possession, or use is regulated by a government, such as illicitly used drugs or prescription medications that are designated a Controlled Drug.
The official schedule level of the drug was not stated, nor was the official amount released, but an earlier report of when Richards was arrested on June 17th stated that the substance was the prescription drug oxycodone.
Oxycodine is a Schedule I substance under Canada's Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and a Schedule II substance under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act. As it currently stands, the proceedings will take place in Canada and will likely fall under the Canadian Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
TSN reported that Richards could face up to a year in prison or a maximum $1,000 dollar fine.
This does not change the grievance that the NHLPA have filed on behalf of Richards' contract termination executed by the Kings. It likely has no bearing, be it positive or negative, on either end. Overall, the charge was being expected so it matters little.
Mike Richards being charged with possession will not alter the outcome of his grievance. Remains challenging case for Kings.
— Eric Macramalla (@EricOnSportsLaw) August 27, 2015Richards has not yet entered a plea.
Details are still developing and more will likely follow prior to the September 10th court date.
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