A former Bermuda schoolboy soccer star has been arrested in Atlanta in connection with a firearms incident.

Wolde Place, 19, of Pembroke -- at university in the Georgia city -- is understood to have been arrested early last month after an alleged incident involving a gun.

Father Albert said last night: "I'm not particularly well-informed so I'm not in a position to say anything.

He added: "I've spoken to him -- he is in good spirits and disappointed about this.'' Mr. Place would not comment on whether his son was in custody or not.

And he declined to make any further statements until he got more information on his son's position.

Police in Atlanta last night were unable to provide details of the alleged incident.

A spokeswoman for the Island Police force said they had not been informed of the arrest of a Bermudian.

And reporters at the Atlanta Constitution-Journal did not have any record of incidents involving a Bermudian.

And Deputy Governor Peter Willis said Government House was unaware of any arrest of a Bermudian abroad.

Wolde Place is a former Secondary Schools All-Star player, turning out for the East against the West in 1995.

The ex-Berkeley Institute pupil last June picked up an International Companies Education Award.

The news came as it was revealed a 15-year-old boy has been arrested in Jamaica on charges of possession of cocaine and marijuana.

The Pembroke boy, who cannot be named because he is a minor, is understood to have been about to board a charter flight from Jamaica to Bermuda on January 5 when he was nabbed by Jamaican authorities.

It is alleged that he was carrying seven packages of marijuana strapped to his leg and a further quantity of cocaine hidden in the soles of his shoes, The Royal Gazette understands.

A Police spokeswoman confirmed that the Bermuda Police Service had been informed of the arrest and added that the boy had been charged in court.

BERMUDIAN BDA