I think the idea that some drug transaction was witnessed is still just a rumor, no? Is there any actual police officer or official who has stated that on the record?
The only official cause I have seen cited is that he ran from them in a high crime area. That might have given them reason to chase him and detain him for questioning, but it still wouldn’t give them any cause to arrest him.
“The knife, which they believed to be illegal...”
Yeah, “which they believed” are the key words there. I’m sure they knew it wasn’t illegal, because cops are not ignorant of such a common law that they have to make judgements on nearly every time they search someone. However, they also know that they can claim they thought the knife was illegal, and that covers their behinds against false arrest charges. So this seems like a classic fishing expedition by the cops, and they found just enough that they could take the guy for a ride, even if the charges would never stick in court.
Actually, it was reported the day of the arrests that the officers had seen Freddie with another unknown male. But since I wasn’t there I don’t know for sure.
And since I haven’t seen the knife, I can only “assume” that since he was charged with it’s possession, they believed it was illegal...but it’s not up to the cops to determine if the knife is illegal, it’s up to the courts.
It’s no different than if a cop stops you for running a red light. He can write you a ticket for the infraction, but the judge makes the final determination. Otherwise...why bother having a court system? The cop can be judge, jury, and executioner.