Troubled Tyson hit with drug charge

MIKE TYSON was arrested early yesterday on suspicion of driving under the influence and possession of cocaine after police stopped him shortly after he left a nightclub in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Tyson made an initial appearance in Maricopa County Superior Court in Phoenix yesterday morning and was released without bond on a drug possession charge. No alcohol was found in his system, and a DUI-drugs charge was not filed pending toxicology tests.

Tyson, 40, will be required to submit to drug and alcohol testing and is prohibited from drinking or taking any non-prescription drugs while the case is pending. The former heavyweight champ — dressed in a golf shirt, baggy jeans and tennis shoes without laces — appeared calm in court. At one point during the brief hearing he thanked Commissioner Sheila Madden. As he was leaving court, he shook his head when asked by a reporter if he wanted to comment. He did not enter a plea and did not have a lawyer.

Sgt Larry Hall said the boxer was stopped after his car almost struck a sheriff’s vehicle while leaving the club at about 1.45am.

“He showed signs of impairment and voluntarily submitted to field sobriety tests,” said Hall.

Tyson was arrested after “showing more signs of impairment” during the sobriety tests. Police then found cocaine on him and in his car, Hall said. The boxer was alone.

According to a police statement, the officer saw Tyson trying to wipe a white powder off the console of his BMW as he approached. During a search, the officer found two bags of white powder in Tyson’s back pocket.

“He said he was an addict and had a problem,” the police report stated. “He admitted possessing the bags of cocaine, and said he uses it anytime he can get his hands on it.”

Sheriff Joe Arpaio said Tyson ran a stop sign and almost hit a deputy.

“He had to slam on his brakes and take evasive action,” Arpaio said of the officer. “Luckily the deputy was alert.”

Arpaio said Tyson was being kept isolated from other prisoners for his own safety and added that the boxer had been to the county jail before, as a guest talking to young offenders about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

“The irony is he did a great job with these kids,” Arpaio said.

Tyson knocked out Trevor Berbick in 1986 to become the youngest heavyweight champion in history at age 20 but had several run-ins with the law over the years, including serving prison time for rape.