James Harden and his rapper friend Lil Baby have been stopped and searched by police in Paris with the musician subsequently arrested for drug possession.
The 31-year-old NBA star, who plays for the Brooklyn Nets, was in town for Paris fashion week when he was pictured being questioned by officers on Thursday.
Video posted on Twitter showed him being frisked by police, though a spokesman later said he had been released without charge.
However, 26-year-old Lil Baby – real name Dominique Jones – was seen being handcuffed and placed in a police car, with police confirming he was arrested.
Legal run-in: James Harden, 31, was seen being stopped by Paris police and frisked during an encounter on Thursday. He was accompanied by his friend Lil Baby, who was handcuffed
According to TMZ, Jones was caught in possession of marijuana, which is illegal in France.
Both Harden and Lil Baby were in the City of Lights to attend Paris Fashion Week.
According to French outlets, the rapper was part of a group stopped on a marijuana-related charge.
Lil Baby (given name: Dominique Jones) was reportedly arrested with two other people after police stopped them while claiming they could smell marijuana.
They appeared to have been driving in a black Mercedes van before being stopped.
According to TMZ, 20 grams of the substance, which is still illegal in France, were discovered.
Against the wall: Harden was seen surrounded by police. One masked officer appeared to be speaking to him and was seen frisking him
Taking a seat: During the stop, the basketball star sat down on the curb while looking at his phone
Language barrier: In a video posted to Twitter, Harden could be heard shouting, ‘You know, It’s OK. I don’t understand’
Drug-related: According to French outlets, the two men were part of a group stopped on a marijuana-related charge
In the clear: Sources close to Harden told TMZ that he was released after the encounter and claimed he hadn’t done anything illegal
French outlets reported that Harden had been standing on the street when police stopped a car in which Lil Baby was driving with other men, though it’s not known if Harden was with them earlier.
The basketball player allegedly tried to intervene while police stopped the other men, at which point police decided to frisk him as well.
In a video posted to Twitter, Harden could be heard shouting, ‘You know, It’s OK. I don’t understand,’ though he seemed to be shouting to someone behind the officer searching him.
While speaking to the other person, the plainclothes officer patted down his arms and checked his sleeves.
It’s unclear if a translator was ever provided to clarify what the stop was about.
Checking in: Harden was accompanied by several other men and was busy on his phone while the police spoke with others
Out of town: Lil Baby, 26, speaks with police. He was seen being placed into the back of police van
Multiple people stopped: He was seen with another man standing at his side, while Harden sat away from them
Not alone: Local French outlets reported that Lil Baby was among a group of three men who were arrested on marijuana-related charges
Staying silent: The Paris Police Department refused to answer questions about the altercation as it was part of an active investigation
Harden was dressed casually in a brown hoodie under a brown-and-white jacket, along with matching shorts and black high top sneakers.
Sources close to the shooting guard later told the outlet that he hadn’t done anything illegal and was let go by police after the altercation.
Lil Baby was photographed speaking with other police officers who were in uniform, while another man stood to his side.
The rapper and the other man were then taken in the police van down to the station for questioning.
The Paris Police Department refused to answer questions about the altercation as it was part of an active investigation.
More questions: The rapper and the other man were reportedly taken in the police van down to the station for questioning
Drug charges: According to TMZ , 20 grams of the substance, which is still illegal in France, were discovered
Closeup: One officer was seen examining what appeared to be a vaporizer
Unclear: However, it wasn’t clear if it was a marijuana vaporizer or if it was used for another substance, such as tobacco
On a drive: Harden and Lil baby appeared to have been driving in a black Mercedes van before being stopped
France has largely resisted steps to legalize or decriminalize marijuana, in contrast with other European nations, and it has among the most restrictive medical marijuana laws in the European Union.
Last year, the French government instituted a new fine system in which people in possession of less than 100 grams of marijuana would simply be fined a lump sum of €200.
Prior to the loosening of restrictions, a marijuana possession charge could come with a fine well over €1,000 and up to a year in jail.
As Lil Baby and his entourage were reportedly found with only 20 grams, it’s unclear why they were taken to the station and not just fined.
Investigating: Police were seen searching the car after they were stopped
Packed in: The van where Lil Baby and others were held
Loosening up: Last year, the French government instituted a new fine system in which people in possession of less than 100 grams of marijuana would simply be fined a lump sum of €200
Serious: Prior to the loosening of restrictions, a marijuana possession charge could come with a fine well over €1,000 and up to a year in jail. Another man seen being led into a police station