Former Sox pitcher Loaiza arrested on drug charges
Former White Sox right- hander Esteban Loaiza was arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking after packages containing a white powder, which is thought to be cocaine, were found at a home he was renting in Southern California, officials saidMonday.
Loaiza, 46, was booked Friday on charges involving the possession, transportation and sale of 20 kilograms — or 44 pounds — of suspected cocaine worth an estimated $ 500,000, according to the San Diego Sheriff’s Department. His bail was set at $ 200,000, and he is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday.
Loaiza’s agent, John Boggs, told the San Francisco Chronicle that he hasn’t spoken with Loaiza recently and that he had no information about the arrest. He said Loaiza had called his office early last week, but Boggs was unavailable at the time.
‘‘ I am shocked and saddened by the news and had no indication he would ever be in this type of situation,’’ Boggs said in a text message to the newspaper. ‘‘ I don’t know how he would get himself involved in this, so it’s difficult to even comment on it.’’
Loaiza was stopped by officers for a minor traffic infraction Friday after he left his rental home in the Pacific Coast community of Imperial Beach, which is located along the U. S.- Mexico border, according to the Associated Press. Authorities had the vehicle under surveillance on suspicion it was used for smuggling drugs, the AP reported.
Officers found a sophisticated compartment used to conceal contraband when searching Loaiza’s vehicle, which led them to obtain a search warrant for his rental home. There, they found the packages of drugs, the AP reported.
The packages still are being tested, but they are thought to be cocaine, the police report said.
Loaiza had the best seasons of his 14- year career with the Sox in 2003 and 2004, making the AllStar team both seasons and starting the game for the American League in 2003 at what was then U. S. Cellular Field. He finished second in AL Cy Young Award voting in 2003.
Loaiza came back to the Sox briefly in 2008 before retiring. He made more than $ 43 million during a career that saw him finish with a 126- 114 record. He last was seen in Chicago at SoxFest, which took place Jan. 26- 28 at the Hilton Chicago.
Loaiza married Latin singing sensation Jenni Rivera in 2010, but the two filed for divorce in October 2012. Rivera died in a plane crash later that year.
While pitching for the Athletics in 2006, Loaiza was stopped for driving 120 mph in his Ferrari and failed a sobriety test.