NRL star Brandon Smith facing drug dealing and betting charges
Brandon Smith has been charged by Queensland police for allegedly dealing drugs and providing “inside knowledge” for betting.
The news of the charges comes two weeks after Smith was stopped and questioned by Queensland police on the Gold Coast.
He now faces two charges and is “expected to appear” in court next month.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“A 29-year-old man has been issued with a Summons by Queensland Police on August 20 for supplying dangerous drugs and using or disclosing inside knowledge for betting,” Queensland Police said in a statement on Monday.
“The man is expected to appear in the Southport Magistrates Court on 18 September.
“Investigations by detectives from the Organised Crime Gangs Group, Taskforce Maxima, South Eastern Region are continuing.”
South Sydney said they were aware of the allegations and had informed the NRL integrity unit.
“As this matter is part of a Queensland Police investigation, the Rabbitohs will be making no further comment at this stage,” a club statement said.
Comment is being sought from the NRL.
The initial questioning at Coolangatta Airport was discussed by Queensland police commissioner Shane Chelepy on radio.
“We spoke to Brandon at Coolangatta, when he arrived,” he told 4BC.
“We chatted to him about a number of things and then he was able to go on and play football.
“We have an ongoing police matter that we are dealing with.
“Brandon was very co-operative with us and he was able to go on and play a good game of football from what I saw.”
After speaking with police, Smith was allowed to join teammates at the hotel and cleared to face Gold Coast.
At his peak, Smith was one of the NRL’s best rakes and earned crowd favourite status thanks to his larrikin persona.
He won the 2020 premiership with Melbourne before being named Dally M Hooker of the Year the next season.
Smith made a high-profile mid-season switch from the Sydney Roosters to bitter rivals Souths this season, but injuries have restricted him to only four games for his new club to date.
Smith - who has played 13 Tests for New Zealand - is contracted at the Rabbitohs until the end of the 2027 campaign.
He has only managed four games for Souths, winning all three since his return from an injury suffered in his club debut.
The Rabbitohs’ season will end before Smith is due to face court, with just two games left after missing the finals.
With AAP/7NEWS
