Malone told police he didn't know where cocaine came from

When a Tampa police officer pulled out a zip-lock bag of cocaine out of Ryan Malone's back pocket during an April 11 DUI arrest, the former Lightning wing was stunned.

"Oh my God," he told officer Andrew Visser.

Malone, 34, waived his Miranda rights and told Visser he didn't know where the 1.3 grams of cocaine came from, according to discovery documents the Tampa Bay Times received Tuesday through a public records request.

Malone told Visser he didn't believe the officer planted the drugs on him, but was "baffled" because he was wearing the same jeans for three days.

"I asked where it came from," Visser wrote in his report. "And he said he was just shocked."

Malone, who is facing charges of DUI and cocaine possession, could work out a plea deal as early as his next court date Aug. 19. Malone, riding with a female friend and his brother, was pulled over after he struck a curb on W Platt Street. Malone initially refused a field sobriety test but submitted to a blood alcohol test at booking (.112 and .116); a blood alcohol level of .08 percent is the threshold at which Florida law presumes someone is unable to safely drive.

Malone was bought out by the Lightning in June, making him an unrestricted free agent. Agent Mike Liut said a couple of teams have displayed interest in the 10-year veteran.

"I think he'll land somewhere," Liut said. "It's just a matter of where and when."