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Boy George nabbed on narcotics
charge
 Photo:
George O'Dowd, a.k.a. Boy George attends a news conference in New York.
NEW YORK- Boy George was arraigned on drug
charges early Saturday, nearly 24 hours after calling the police emergency line
to report what he said was a burglary in his Manhattan apartment, authorities
said. The British singer, whose real name is George O'Dowd, claimed his home had
been burglarized around 3 a.m. Friday, said Detective Kevin Czartoryski, a
police spokesman. Officers arrived at O'Dowd's apartment and discovered a small
amount of cocaine next to a computer, police said. Police were continuing to
investigate. The singer was released Saturday without bail after being charged
with fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, allegedly more
than five grams of cocaine, said Barbara Thompson, a spokeswoman for the
Manhattan District Attorney's office. The charge carries a maximum penalty of
five to 15 years in prison. Calls to the office of O'Dowd's lawyer went
unanswered early Saturday. It is not the first time that Boy George has had
problems with drugs. In 1986, the singer was convicted for heroin possession in
England. Two of his friends overdosed in the incident and O'Dowd was forced into
a rehabilitation program. The conviction led to the disintegration of his group,
Culture Club, one year later. Boy George, famous for his androgynous persona,
and Culture Club had hits including "Karma Chamo LOGWSeleon" and "Do You Really
Want to Hurt Me."
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