New York:
Indian-American hotelier Vikram Chatwal has been arrested earlier this week at an airport in Florida for allegedly carrying a large stash of drugs including cocaine and heroine, a celebrity website reported.
According to the TMZ website, the multi-millionaire hotel owner was arrested on April 2 at the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport after Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials found an "arsenal of drugs", including cocaine, weed, heroin and various prescription pills hidden on his person and in his bag.
He was arrested by the Broward County Sheriff's Office after he tried to get on a plane with the drugs. When contacted by PTI to comment on the report of Chatwal's arrest, the press office of the Sant Chatwal-led Hampshire Hotels and Resorts said they have "no comment on the issue at this time." The office would also not comment on whether Chatwal is still in Florida.
According to the police report obtained by TMZ, Chatwal was booked on one count of trafficking (six grams of heroin) and seven counts of possession for cocaine, heroin, marijuana and various other drugs.
According to the report, Chatwal, 41, admitted to the police that he illegally purchased and possessed the drugs. People magazine reported on its website that a search of Chatwal's carry-on bag revealed several different types of loose white pills that appeared to be controlled substances.
The TSA also allegedly found a small piece of white plastic wrap in the hotel owner's jacket pocket that tested positive for cocaine.
"He provided a statement to narcotics detectives admitting possessing and purchasing the controlled substances illegally," Officer Carmen Hunsinger said in his police report.
Chatwal, who has acted in a few Indian movies, owns the Dream Hotel in New York.