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Police arrest Hall of Famer Cepeda on drugs charges

Hall of Fame baseball player Orlando Cepeda speaks at an event in New York on Jan. 30 last year. PHOTO: AP

Baseball Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda was arrested after a California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer pulled him over for speeding and discovered drugs in the car.

The former San Francisco Giants star, who works for the team as a community liaison and speaks to at-risk children about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, was stopped at about 3pm on Tuesday after his car was clocked going 134kph in a 105kph zone on Interstate 80 in Cordelia, northeast of San Francisco, the CHP said.

While approaching the vehicle, "the officer smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the car," Sergeant Wulf Corrington said on Wednesday.

The CHP officer arrested Cepeda after finding a "usable" amount of a white-powder substance that likely was methamphetamine or cocaine, Corrington said. The officer also found marijuana and a syringe, he added.

The 69-year-old Cepeda was arrested on suspicion of felony possession of a controlled substance, along with possession of a hypodermic needle or syringe and possession of marijuana, both misdemeanor charges.

"The officer did not see signs of intoxication or being under the influence," Corrington said.

Ted Cassman, Cepeda's attorney, said the former slugger "does not use, and was not under the influence of, any illegal substance."

"This is an unfortunate misunderstanding, and we intend to meet promptly with the authorities to explain that Orlando was not responsible for any illegal substance in the car."

Cassman said the marijuana was medical marijuana used by a family member who has diabetes. Asked about the white powder, Cassman said he had no specific comment.

During his 17 big league seasons, the seven-time All-Star played in three World Series. Known as "Baby Bull" and "Cha-Cha," Cepeda was the 1958 National League Rookie of the Year with San Francisco and the NL MVP in 1967 with St. Louis. In 1961, he led the National League with 46 home runs and 142 RBIs.
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