SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Chargers strong safety Terrence Kiel admitted to shipping two parcels of prescription cough syrup to Texas, DEA officials said Wednesday, a day after the player was arrested at team headquarters.
While Kiel did not tell the DEA his motive, the agency in Texas has found widespread abuse of codeine-based cough syrup mixed with soft drinks or drugs and referred to as "lean," said John S. Fernandes, the special agent in charge of the San Diego office. A pint bottle of "lean" can cost between $200 and $325 on the street, he said.
Kiel was arrested on two counts of transporting a controlled substance and three counts of possession for sale of a controlled substance.
The DEA is investigating where Kiel got the cough syrup, who else may be involved and the intent.
An arraignment was scheduled for Tuesday.
Team officials have not commented, beyond a statement released late Tuesday night.
"We're aware of an off-the-field situation involving Terrence Kiel and we're monitoring the situation," the statement said. "Due to the personal nature of the ongoing legal investigation, the Chargers are withholding further comment until the matter is resolved legally."
Kiel's status for Sunday's game at Baltimore was not immediately known
It was the fourth run-in with the law by a Chargers player since April.
Outside linebacker Steve Foley was shot outside his suburban home by an off-duty Coronado police officer on Sept. 3. Foley will miss the entire season and forfeit at least $775,000 in pay.
Foley and linebacker Shaun Phillips were each arrested for scuffling with San Diego police officers a week apart in April. Neither was charged.
While Kiel did not tell the DEA his motive, the agency in Texas has found widespread abuse of codeine-based cough syrup mixed with soft drinks or drugs and referred to as "lean," said John S. Fernandes, the special agent in charge of the San Diego office. A pint bottle of "lean" can cost between $200 and $325 on the street, he said.
Kiel was arrested on two counts of transporting a controlled substance and three counts of possession for sale of a controlled substance.
The DEA is investigating where Kiel got the cough syrup, who else may be involved and the intent.
An arraignment was scheduled for Tuesday.
Team officials have not commented, beyond a statement released late Tuesday night.
"We're aware of an off-the-field situation involving Terrence Kiel and we're monitoring the situation," the statement said. "Due to the personal nature of the ongoing legal investigation, the Chargers are withholding further comment until the matter is resolved legally."
Kiel's status for Sunday's game at Baltimore was not immediately known
It was the fourth run-in with the law by a Chargers player since April.
Outside linebacker Steve Foley was shot outside his suburban home by an off-duty Coronado police officer on Sept. 3. Foley will miss the entire season and forfeit at least $775,000 in pay.
Foley and linebacker Shaun Phillips were each arrested for scuffling with San Diego police officers a week apart in April. Neither was charged.
