HONOLULU -- Two University of Hawaii basketball players, including the team's leading scorer and rebounder Andre Morgan, and former Chaminade player Keith Whitney were among five people charged Monday with multiple counts of distribution of cocaine, police said.
Morgan, who was dismissed from the team earlier this year, Morgan's former teammate Keith Turner, Whitney, Bryan Rubio and Allan Polendey were charged as a result of a two-month long investigation, said police vice squad Maj. Frank Sua.
Sua said Rubio was a student at the University of Hawaii, but said Polendey was as a non-student and that at least two more suspects were being sought.
Sua said the investigation was launched the day after Christmas when police received an anonymous tip that some players were involved in the selling of cocaine.
He said undercover officers made at least 17 purchases of the drug on and off the University of Hawaii campus, ranging from a quarter-ounce to a gram. Police said a quarter-ounce carried a street value of $700 and a gram $120.
Sua said the case progressed quickly, but that the arrests were held off because authorities were trying to determine the source of the cocaine.
UH Athletic Director Stan Sheriff said, 'It's alarming and we're concerned. Other than those brief statements, until I ascertain all the facts, I prefer not to say any more.'
Arnold was on a recruiting trip and not available for comment.
Arnold suspended Morgan during the season and later dismissed him following an aftercation with another player during a practice session. Prior to the dismissal, Morgan was required to follow a set of rules laid down by Arnold.
Morgan, from Anderson, Ind., subsequently withdrew from the unversity, enrolled at Hawaii Pacific College and indicated he planned to file suit against the university for alleged violation of his civil rights.
Turner, of Las Vegas, Nv., was a transfer from Central Arizona Community College and started most of Hawaii's games as a guard.
Whitney completed his eligibility at Chaminade last year. He scored the winning points in 1984 when the Silverswords upset nationally ranked and undefeated Southern Methodist in the Chaminade Classic.
