Madonna Releases Statement Following Son’s Arrest For Possession Of Cannabis

Following the arrest of Madonna‘s teenage son, Rocco Ritchie, for possession of marijuana on Wednesday, 28 September, 2016, the 55-year-old singer, has released a statement in support of him.

According to People, the 16-year-old was hanging out with a friend in Notting Hill, London, when locals called the police, after allegedly noticing some “suspicious” behaviour.

READ ALSO: Madonna Admits She’d Let Her Children Try Drugs ‘In Moderation’

Rocco, who Madonna has previously described as a “wild child”, was stopped by officers who searched his rucksack and found the class B drug, which led to his arrest.

”The arrest follows a stop and search by officers from Camden borough on Wednesday, 28 September,” Scotland Yard tells PEOPLE in an official statement.

[Rocco] was dealt with by way of Triage, which uses multiple strands to engage and educate young people in order to prevent re-offending.”

After the news made headlines, Madonna, who called Roco’s arrest ”a family matter” made it clear she’s standing by him.

”I love my son very much. I will do whatever I can to give him the support that he needs, and I ask that you respect our privacy at this time,” she said.

The 16-year-old, whose father is director Guy Ritchie, was seen ‘smoking or doing drugs’ near his Primrose Hill home in North London.

However, Roco’s pals said:

“Everyone thinks the Rocco thing is hilarious. He’s in trouble after bunning [taking a drag from a joint].

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“His friends have been joking about #freerocco since the news came out. He’s not a wild child, he’s a normal teenager. There are people in his circle who are a lot more misbehaved than him.”

As TMZ reported … Rocco has been living with his dad Guy Ritchie in London during a nasty custody battle between Guy and Madonna. A judge ruled the two figure out an amicable resolution to visitation but has not forced Rocco to return

In early September, Madonna visited Rocco in London after her and Ritchie’s 8-month-long custody battle had ended.