Chicago Bears’ Sam Hurd Arrested In Drug Sting

Authorities say Hurd left the meeting with the undercover officer after he agreed to pay $25,000 for each kilo of cocaine and $450 per pound of marijuana. He said that he could pay for a kilo of cocaine after “he gets out of practice.”

He then walked out of the restaurant with the package and was immediately arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

At a hearing Thursday, U.S. Magistrate Young Kim ordered Hurd held until at least Friday while prosecutors and defense attorneys work out details on his bond before he’s sent to Texas to face charges, where the complaint was filed.

Prior to the hearing,  when a reporter asked the handcuff Hurd if he was still a member of the Bears, he said: “As far as I know.’’ 

“Sam intends to fight these charges, and we intend to defend him fully,” said David Kenner, one of Hurd’s attorneys. “We have complete confidence in him.”

Kenner  - who successfully defended rapper Snoop Dogg against murder charges - said he expected Hurd to be released from custody on Friday.

If convicted, Hurd faces up to 40 years in prison and a $2 million fine.

Hurd - who spent five seasons with the Dallas Cowboys - signed  a three- year deal with the Bears on July 29  for a reported $5.15 million, including a $1.35 million signing bonus and base pay this season of $685,000,  according to the AP.

He was first identified as a potential drug dealer this July when an informant tipped off authorities as the NFL lockout was coming to a close.

Coach Lovie Smith said the arrest was a disappointment and a “total surprise,” adding that Hurd was still a member of the Bears for now.

“Sam wasn’t in meetings this morning and that’s how from there of course we started searching trying to find out why a player wouldn’t be here,” Smith said. “There was no tipoff, didn’t know it was coming.”

Hurd has played in 12 games this year, catching eight passes for 109 yards.

Hurd, 26, was arrested Wednesday night after meeting with an undercover agent at a Chicago restaurant, according to a criminal complaint that says the player was first identified as a potential drug dealer over the summer as the NFL lockout was coming to an end.

Hurd told the agent that he was interested in buying five to 10 kilograms of cocaine and 1,000 pounds of marijuana per week to distribute in the Chicago area, the complaint said. He allegedly said he and a co-conspirator already distribute about four kilos of cocaine every week, but their supplier couldn’t keep up with his demands. A kilogram is about 2.2 pounds.

Hurd told the agent “his co-conspirator is in charge of doing the majority of the deals” while he focused on “higher-end deals,” the complaint said.

He agreed to pay $25,000 for each kilogram of cocaine and $450 a pound for the marijuana, according to the charges, and then said he could pay for a kilo of cocaine after “he gets out of practice.” He walked out of the restaurant with the package and was arrested.