Indio Downey arrest: Robert Downey Jr says ‘there's a genetic component to addiction and Indio has likely inherited it’

The actor’s 20-year-old son was arrested for possession of cocaine

Robert Downey Jr has said his son has “likely inherited” the “genetic component to addiction”, after the 20-year-old was arrested for possession of cocaine on Sunday (29 June).

The Sherlock Holmes actor spent years battling his drug-related addiction, before quitting them in 2003.

“Unfortunately there's a genetic component to addiction and Indio has likely inherited it,” Downey Jr said in a statement.

“There is a lot of family support and understanding, and we’re all determined to rally behind him and help him become the man he's capable of being.”

Indio Downey was pulled over by Los Angeles police after they noticed a passenger smoking something out of a pipe. The incident took place at the intersection of Santa Monica and La Cienega boulevards.

He was arrested, taken to a local police station and released yesterday (30 June) after posting his $10,250 (£6,015) bail.

“We’re grateful to the Sheriff’s department for their intervention, and believe Indio can be another recovery success story instead of a cautionary tale,” continued Downey Jr.

Indio acted alongside his father in film Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and plays guitar in a band called The Seams.