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Will Sommer of Washington City Paper reports that Curtis Malone -- the stepfather of Portland Trail Blazers unrestricted free agent guard Nolan Smith and the head of the well-known DC Assault AAU program -- has been arrested in Washington, D.C., on drug charges.
Malone was arrested Friday in D.C. as part of a year-long DEA investigation. Agents who searched his home found what's believed to be kilo of cocaine, 100 grams of suspected heroin, a handgun, and unnamed items associated with heroin sales, according to court documents. Malone and another alleged dealer have been charged with conspiracy to distribute heroin.
DEA agents working through an informant were able to make several heroin purchases from a dealer who worked with Malone, according to prosecutors. That enabled them to put a wiretap on Malone's phone.
After pulling over an alleged customer of Malone's who had visited Malone's Upper Marlboro home, officers discovered a kilo of suspected cocaine in the car.
Smith played for DC Assault and spent some time coaching the program during 2011. He was raised by Malone and his mother following the death of his father, former NBA player Derek Smith.
Smith, 25, averaged 2.8 points, 0.9 assists and 0.7 rebounds in 7.2 minutes per game in 40 appearances this season. He posted a PER of 7.1. The Blazers opted not to pick up his third-year rookie option last fall and GM Neil Olshey told reporters in April that Smith needed a "change of scenery."
Smith has yet to sign with another team and suffered an injury during the Orlando Summer League. He could attend training camp with the Boston Celtics.
Phoenix Suns forward Michael Beasley sued Malone in 2011.
Photo via DC-Assault.org.
-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter