[ad_1]
Former NRL player Brandon Wakeham has been granted bail in court after his lawyer argued there was no evidence of his involvement in a Sydney drug supply ring.
The 25-year-old, who played for the Bulldogs and West Tigers, was detained by police from Strike Force Verbena during a training session of Blacktown Workers, the NSW Cup club of the Manly Sea Eagles, at a park on Alfred Road in Brookvale yesterday.
He was later taken to Manly Police Station where he was charged with being involved in the supply of a prohibited drug in a quantity greater than a large commercial quantity, being involved in the supply of a prohibited drug in a quantity greater than an indictable quantity and more little of a commercial quantity and involvement in a criminal group.
Prosecutors said in court that Wakeham lent his car to two other suspects while drug deals took place.
His lawyer said there was no evidence to suggest Wakeham knew what was going on.
A subsequent search of his home turned up nothing.
The Manly Sea Eagles club said it had informed the NRL Integrity Unit of Wakeham’s arrest.
“Manly Warringah Sea Eagles have been made aware of an incident involving Brandon Wakeham, a Blacktown Workers contract player, who has been arrested and charged with drug related matters,” the club said.
“The club understands that he is due to appear in Manly Court today and confirms that it has notified the NRL Integrity Unit that it will co-operate fully in all aspects of the matter.”
Wakeham’s arrest came after a joint investigation by the State Crime Command’s Narcotics and Firearms Unit and the Australian Federal Police (AFP), with the NSWCC Crime Commission, into Sam’s alleged illicit drug supply Amin, 47, and his associates.
Amin was also arrested yesterday from his home in Sans Souci.
Police said about $10 million in assets owned by Amine had been frozen by the Crime Commission.
A third man, podcaster Nabil Alloush, 24, was arrested in Chester Hill.
During a search of Allouche’s car, police found and seized 1 kg of MDMA, 56 grams of cocaine and about $50,000 in cash.
Amine and Allouche were charged with a number of offenses to appear in court today.
Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported that Brandon Wakeham, 24, was arrested in Chester Hill and charged with 12 offences. The story has since been updated to reflect that Wakeham, aged 25, was arrested in Brookvale and charged with being involved in the supply of a prohibited drug exceeding a large commercial quantity, being involved in the supply of a prohibited drug (greater than indictable and -less than a commercial quantity) and participation in a criminal group.
[ad_2]
