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Cape Town - Proteas cricketer Wayne Parnell is unlikely to be punished by Cricket South Africa (CSA) over allegations he took recreational drugs in India, CSA acting chief executive Jacques Faul told SuperSport.com on Monday.
Parnell and Indian cricketer Rahul Sharma, both members of the IPL team Pune Warriors, were part of a group of 96 people detained after police raided and found drugs at a party in Mumbai on May 20.
Parnell allegedly tested positive for marijuana but has always maintained his innocence.
"I was at the wrong place at the wrong time," Parnell said at the time.
"I was calm because I knew that I hadn't done anything wrong.
"We were not aware of... any drugs being taken. The party was on the pool terrace so it was very relaxed. We were sent to a hospital in Mumbai where blood and urine samples were taken. All those present at the gathering were also tested."
Faul said CSA's efforts to get official confirmation of these reports had so far proved unsuccessful.
"We've been trying to get official word from the BCCI and Indian police, but so far we've got nothing. The Indian police haven't yet laid a charge against Wayne," Faul said.
Faul added that for CSA to take action against Parnell it would need more evidence.
"To take action against Wayne will be next to impossible at the moment because the whole process over there has been shambolic. The police are talking to some sections of the media but not to the cricket boards, the whole testing procedure was not done according to the standards that normally apply in sport and Wayne would be able to contest any action we take with absolute ease," Faul said.
