ON THIS DAY IN 1969, JIMI HENDRIX WAS ARRESTED AT TORONTO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT FOR NARCOTICS POSSESSION

On May 3rd, Hendrix flew into Toronto and was detained by The Royal Mounted Canadian Police after small amounts of hashish and heroin were found in his luggage. Hendrix admitted to using hashish and cannabis but denied any association to the heroin, citing a fear of needles and junkies which stopped him from using the substance. He claimed that a female fan had gifted him a vial of Bromo-Seltzer, a legal medication, without knowledge that it contained heroin.

Hendrix was released hours later on $10,000 bail with arraignment hearing set for May 5th and a court date of December 8th. Other musicians and fans have speculated Hendrix’s arrest as part of a conspiracy to crackdown on rock musicians organised by the government. Supporters of this theory also mention the numerous other drug arrests plaguing popular rock artists like John Lennon and Mick Jagger. Some also considered a set-up possible, due to Hendrix’s denial of involvement with heroin and the suspicious presence of the Mounted Canadian Police, who did not customarily make arrests at the airport.

During his December 8th trial, Jimi Hendrix was apprehensive but confident in his defence team. One of the witnesses called to give a character reference was none other than Ritchie Yorke, who had volunteered for the role. Hendrix was acquitted later that day and presented one of his trademark hats to Ritchie, which remains in his archive today. After receiving his not guilty verdict, Hendrix said to the press that “Canada has given me the best Christmas present I ever had”, while holding up a peace sign.