Alex Abreu, University of Akron Zips basketball player, arrested on drug charges

AKRON, Ohio - A point guard on the University of Akron basketball team was arrested on drug charges on Thursday.

Alex Abreu, 21, was arrested for trafficking in marijuana and possession of marijuana at a resident on East Dartmore Street.

Akron police said a drug sniffing dog detected the smell of marijuana at a delivery terminal and an undercover officer made the delivery. Once Abreu accepted the package, he was arrested.

According to police, there were more than 5 pounds of pot inside the package.

The University of Akron Department of Athletics released the following statement:

"Junior point guard Alex Abreu has been suspended from The University of Akron men's basketball team indefinitely pending the outcome of a police investigation. The University is aware of the situation and is currently gathering more information."

This comes right before the Zips end their regular season against Kent State on Friday and makes a run at the Mid-American Conference championship.

The starting point guard is a sophomore and a native of Puerto Rico.

Students at the University of Akron and basketball fans are speaking out about Abreu’s arrest and charges.

“Akron is starting to do better and get them better and an incident like this puts a shadow over things," said one student.

"I think they might not be getting as many points as the past but hopefully they will make it through," another student told Newschannel5.

"It's a life choice and he has to deal with the consequences,” a University of Akron student said. “It sucks for the team. He let the team down."

Austin Durgala, 18, was also charged. Both men will appear in court Friday morning.