Rhea Chakraborty to Robert Downey Jr: Celebrities who were arrested on drug-related charges

The Narcotics Control Bureau is all set to give Bollywood the shakedown as they set out to unearth a drug link in connection with the Sushant Singh Rajput case. While the NCB tracks the trail far down the rabbit hole, we've drawn up a list of Bollywood and Hollywood celebrities from Rhea Chakraborty to Robert Downey Jr and many others who were arrested on drug-related charges.

Photo: Instagram

Rhea Chakraborty and brother Showik Chakraborty were arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in a drug angle that sprung up from the Sushant Singh Rajput's case. The actress claimed that she was coerced into making self-incriminating confessions which she has now formally retracted. However, her bail plea and her brother's plea were rejected by a special court on Friday. Advocate Satish Manshinde, who is representing the Chakraborty family, shared in a statement that they are likely to approach High Court once they get a copy of the NDPS Spl Court Order.

Photo: Rhea Chakraborty Instagram

Back in the day, John Lennon of 'The Beatles' was charged with possession of half a gram of morphine and 200 grams of hashish after a raid was conducted on his home in London. At first, the couple denied that the drugs belonged to them. However, the music legend later pleaded guilty to prevent Yoko Ono from being deported to Japan. He was let off with a warning and a fine of 150 British pounds.

Photo: Yoko Ono Instagram

Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey was arrested in 1999 and booked on suspicion of possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting transportation. The actor spent around nine hours in jail before being released with a USD 1,000 bond. Reports stated that the drug charges against him were later dropped.

Photo: Matthew McConaughey Instagram

Rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix was also arrested in 1969 at a Toronto airport for allegedly having heroin in his bag. The legend was briefly held and released on USD 10,000 bail. Hendrix later claimed that the drugs were planted in his bags by the police.

Photo: Jimi Hendrix Album Art

The name Robert Downey Jr is now synonymous with the Marvel superhero Tony Stark, aka Iron Man. Interestingly enough, Robert's journey to superstardom was nothing short of an epic in itself. The actor, who has never shied away from talking about his troubled past when he was arrested repeatedly for drug possession, including marijuana, cocaine and heroin. He not only spent his time behind bars but was also sentenced to three years in a substance abuse facility for failing to show up for a court-ordered drug test. He was released by a judge after serving 12 months. Although he continued to struggle with addiction, his then-girlfriend Susan Levin, inspired him to come clean and change his ways. The couple tied the knot in 2005 and recently celebrated 15 years of togetherness.

Photo: Robert Downey Jr Instagram

Paul McCartney, another member of 'The Beatles', was arrested after he was caught with half a pound of marijuana at the Tokyo Airport in 1980. The British legend admitted that he brought the drugs along as they were banned in Japan.

Photo: Paul McCartney Instagram

Rapper Snoop Dogg was banned from entering Norway when he was caught trying to bring eight grams of marijuana through the airport. Meanwhile, in Sweden, the star was arrested after the police pulled his car over and tested him for narcotics. Although he denied taking drugs, his test came back positive with findings showing the "highest measurable value" of narcotics. However, the case against him was dropped as the Sweedish police couldn't confirm if the US rapper was under the influence of drugs while on Swedish soil.

Photo: Snoop Dogg Instagram