Liam Payne’s ‘drug dealer’ waiter arrested after being accused of supplying 1D star with cocaine before tragic death

THE waiter accused of selling Liam Payne cocaine before he plunged to his death at a Buenos Aires hotel has been arrested.

A judge had ordered Braian Nahuel Paiz’s to go to prison after charging him with supplying the singer with drugs a week ago.

Judge Laura Bruniard had given Paiz 24 hours to hand himself so that he could be held on remand during court process.

But the arrest didn’t take place until today after police went to his home at Ingeniero Budge on the outskirts of Buenos Aires.

Paiz’s lawyer Fernando Madeo confirmed his client had been arrested but didn’t give any more details about what prison he would be taken to or when.

Fernando Madeo ealier insisted his client Braian Paiz, 24, has been the victim of a “witch hunt” as officials desperately try to find answers over the One Direction star's death.

Paiz is accused of handing Liam cocaine on two separate occasions on October 14.

He previously admitted to taking drugs with the star but has insisted he was not a dealer.

Lawyer Madeo said: “They want to look for culprits at any price, violating constitutional rights and guarantees and forming a ’truth’ which turns out to false as is the case here.

"Accusing innocent people of crimes they haven’t committed.”

Paiz was one of five men charged by a Buenos Aires judge last Friday following Liam’s death at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel on October 16.

He and 21-year-old Ezequiel David Pereyra have both been charged with supplying Liam with drugs in exchange for money.

They could both face between four and 15 years if convicted.

Speaking to Argentine TV station America TV, Madeo said his client had arranged to meet up with Liam after speaking to him at the Buenos Aires restaurant where he worked.

Paiz was a "lifelong fan of One Direction" so wanted to hang out.

Madeo continued: “He was fond of Liam and liked him.

"He took advantage of the meeting he had with him in the restaurant where he worked and they exchanged messages."

Paiz has always denied selling Liam any substances.

Madeo said any suggestion otherwise is "absurd".

Bruniard said the 31-year-old should have been left in a safe place instead of being put at risk by being taken to his room after binging on drink and drugs.

Payne was in the Argentinian capital for pal Niall Horan's tour when he died.

The Brit had been staying at the £325-a-night Casa Sur hotel, in the central neighbourhood of Palermo.

Crowds of devastated fans flocked to the hotel pay their respects to their idol.