Gold Coast Titans Cocaine Scandal

Drugs crisis set to spread to Sydney with a number of past and present players set to be caught in the net


  • CHRIS GARRY, TODD BALYM AND JEREMY PIERCE
  • THE COURIER-MAIL
  • FEBRUARY 24, 2015 12:00AM

SYDNEY, you are next.

Sydney footballers past and present will be investigated in relation to the cocaine supply scandal that has already seen more than 50 games worth of State of Origin talent potentially implicated.

The Courier-Mail can reveal the cocaine that Karmichael Hunt, six Titans, and two former Origin players are alleged to have supplied originated in Sydney.

It is understood the Crime and Corruption Commission is trying to uncover the entire network of the cocaine cartel and the NRL players and professional sports people embroiled in the scandal have only come on to the radar due to their association with local agents.

The wider investigation is set to cross state borders with the CCC having the power to work in unison with the NSW Crime Commission to ensure the investigation reaches a full conclusion.

The CCC would not comment on the investigation on Monday, stating that the matter remained ongoing with no time line currently set for its finality.

But the charges issued against a few sports people, for matters that are trivial in nature compared to the multi-million dollar busts the CCC typically pursue, has many within the sporting community wondering about the purpose of the very public naming of football stars.

The current charges against Hunt and the Titans players could take up to two years to pass through court and the investigation is expected to run longer.

The network of athletes this syndicate allegedly supplies is vast and during the next 18 months the investigations will create a series of nightmares for the NRL and other sporting bodies.

It will be alleged the QCCC was led to the sports stars through alleged syndicate kingpin and former Roosters player John Touma also known as John Thomas.

The 49-year-old was charged with supply and possession of cocaine at Southport Magistrates Court on February 6.

One of the charges relates to supplying cocaine to former Roosters team mate John Tobin, a veteran of 125 first grade rugby league matches through the 70s and 80s.

Tobin has also been charged.

Former Origin players Jason Smith and Matt Seers, who spent the majority of their career in Sydney, have been charged with trafficking cocaine.

Seers famously stood himself down from the North Sydney Bears in 1998 to combat his addiction to cocaine.

He was drug tested on several occasions during his admitted period as a drug abuser but never tested positive.

Seers had an inconsistent career for North Sydney but his links to New South Wales threaten to expose Sydney-based footballers.

Smith also spent the majority of his career in Sydney, playing for Canterbury and Parramatta.

Seers will front Southport Magistrates Court on April 15 while Smith will face court in Toowoomba again on May 6.

Seers is the cousin of ex-NRL player Craig Field, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison after being found guilty of the manslaughter of NSW north-coast farmer Kelvin Kane last December

Field was also suspended by the NRL for six months in 2001 after testing positive for illicit drugs.


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...aught-in-the-net/story-fni3fbgz-1227236134196
 
Players accused of drug offences are planning to sue the Titans if they are banned from playing


  • CHRIS GARRY AND TODD BALYM
  • THE COURIER-MAIL
  • FEBRUARY 24, 2015 12:00AM

FIVE Gold Coast Titans accused of drug offences are planning on suing their own club if they are banned from playing in the upcoming NRL season.

In a public-relations nightmare for the NRL, Titans players Beau Falloon and Jamie Dowling hope to play in Round One, just 48 hours after facing cocaine supply charges when they face court on March 5.

The remaining three active Titans players facing charges — Greg Bird, Dave Taylor and Kalifa Faifai-Loa — hope to play in round two just days after their March 9 court appearance.

The five active Titans have been stood down from all club duties but are expected to plead not guilty to charges of supply and possession.

Bird’s career is on life support due to repeated indiscretions while Beau Falloon, Jamie Dowling, Kalifa Faifai Loa and Taylor could be suspended for bringing their club into disrepute.

Lawyer for four of the five current Titans players, Campbell MacCallum, said his clients would likely fight any suspensions handed out by the NRL or Titans.

“If players are stood down after their first court appearance the inference you draw from that is they are presumed guilty and if that is the case there may be further ramifications for the club,” MacCallum, who represents Bird and Taylor, said.

“Why should they be stood down before they have had a chance to defend themselves?

“The players have no control over when they will get that opportunity.

“They should be afforded the right to their employment up until the process is over.

“A review can be held once that process is over.”

That process could take up to two years as the case could go as high as the Supreme Court.

The Rugby League Players’ Association is also backing the players’ rights to take the field.

“The Players implicated are entitled to the presumption of innocence, which relates not only to the charges they are currently facing but also to any course of action their club might consider,” a statement read.

Titans coach Neil Henry has been in contact with the five players and said they were “distraught” about the situation and the focus they’d brought upon the club.

“They certainly vary in degrees of being distraught about the situation which is only human nature,” Henry said.

“They certainly are concerned about the media attention it’s brought to fellow players, club fans and the game in general.”

Henry questioned whether information was being leaked by authorities and claimed media were told of developments before players themselves.

“It’s probably disappointing that information has been to the press before sometimes even the players have even known,” Henry said.

“You’d have to see that if they’ve got this crime commission, where is the information coming from?

“Is it a closed shop or a selective leak of information to certain media outlets?

“Clearly people were aware something was going down before players were, we were and I was.

“To me that’s a concern, It would be a concern to the NRL as well.”

The Titans are debating whether to sack the players for breaching their code of conduct while the NRL could suspend or fire them for bringing the game into disrepute.

Titans chief Graham Annesley said the club will run its own investigations into the issue and could take action against the players for brand damage.

“The playing contracts provide a number of options that can be taken,” Annesley said.

On Sunday Bird was charged with two counts of supplying cocaine, Taylor one count of possession and one count of supplying and Faifai Loa one count of supplying.

It will be difficult for the NRL to impose punishment following a not guilty plea considering Kirisome Auva’a plead guilty to domestic assault early last year and played in South Sydney’s premiership triumph.

On March 5, Falloon, Dowling and Queensland Reds star Karmichael Hunt will front court in Southport.

On March 9, Bird, Taylor and Faifai-Loa will front court, meaning they will be unavailable for the Titans’ round one clash with Wests but hope to play in round two.


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...ned-from-playing/story-fnp0lyn3-1227236144929
 
NRL official will head to the Gold Coast for crisis talks with the Titans


  • TODD BALYM EXCLUSIVE
  • THE COURIER-MAIL
  • FEBRUARY 24, 2015 12:00AM

NRL officials will fly to the Gold Coast today after high level crisis meetings last night about a rescue mission to save the embattled club.

The Courier-Mail has been told Titans powerbrokers were locked in meetings with NRL head of club services Tony Crawford last night discussing a range of bail out options for the NRL to help mop up the mess that has engulfed the club in recent times headlined by the cocaine scandal.

Crawford, who oversaw the NRL’s rescue mission of Newcastle from the grips of the Nathan Tinkler regime, is expected on the Gold Coast today among other key personnel as the Titans fight for survival.

It is believed the Titans are about to voluntarily hand back their NRL licence and allow the NRL to take full control of the entity.

But, in a massive show of faith in the current administration that is attempting to rebuild the club, chairwoman Rebecca Frizelle is set to be retained while chief executive Graham Annesley will be powered with the responsibility of rebuilding the club’s future.

The Courier-Mail attempted to contact Annesley, Frizelle and the NRL late last night but nobody was responding to repeated inquiries.

Sources close to the discussions described the situation as “fluid” with many options being considered.

What is abundantly clear, however, is the NRL is wholeheartedly committed to a future club on the Gold Coast.

The Titans are scheduled to commence their season with their official season launch at Jupiters Casino on Thursday night and a fresh start may be just what is needed for the club to really begin their next life.

These latest developments cap a tumultuous few days for the club with coach Neil Henry still searching for a new permanent training base for his team.

The Titans are today due to train at Cudgen and on Thursday at Cbus Super Stadium.

Players were yesterday sent to The Southport School to clear out their belongings from the premises after they were evicted from their temporary training facilities beside the river on school grounds.

Henry said it was a difficult scenario facing his squad as they try to prepare for their season opening game at home on March 7.

“The boys can only control what they can control and that’s their attitude with training and getting their preparation done for round one,” Henry said.

“While we’ve got concerns for the players that aren’t with us and we’re conscious of their welfare as well, they are teammates, we’ll hopefully get a resolution to this fairly quickly.

“Time will tell (how we cope with it). There’s no doubt it’s a disruption.

“There’s some experience and quality about the players missing at the moment but we’ll just have to cope with that.”

Faced with the prospect of starting his season with only 30 members of his 35-man squad, and no end in sight to the legal process that is facing Greg Bird, Dave Taylor, Beau Falloon, Jamie Dowling and Kalifa Faifai Loa, Henry admitted the prospect of seeking permanent replacements could be entertained in the coming weeks.

However, Henry would only have access to second tier players from Queensland Cup feeder clubs and even then would likely need salary cap dispensation from the NRL.

“We don’t have an option to replace them,” Henry said.

“Our squad is effectively down to 30.

“We do have a couple of players who have gone down to play Queensland Cup at our feeder teams.

“We’ll be looking at bringing in a couple of players from Burleigh Bears or Tweed Seagulls.

“You’d hope if we’re losing players there’d be some way we’d have some cap dispensation so that we could move in the market to fill the void.”

While the Titans await the court process and board review into the players for potential breach of contracts, Henry confirmed the suspended five would keep training in isolation with some input from club coaching personnel.

“They’re allowed to do their own personal training,” he said.

“We have contacts around them being able to do gym work and stuff like that.

“We’d expect they’d keep training.”


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...-with-the-titans/story-fnp0lyn3-1227236151919
 
As I said the guy is scum and I would like to know if Billy is still going to stand up for this piece of SXXt again .You thought it wasn't that bad that he smashed his girl in the face with a glass . How about now mate try down playing this new drama .
 
Ethan said:
As I said the guy is scum and I would like to know if Billy is still going to stand up for this piece of SXXt again .You thought it wasn't that bad that he smashed his girl in the face with a glass . How about now mate try down playing this new drama .
Click to expand...
Again, the dramas of this guys life have nothing to do with the sport of RL.
If he had stayed in Hinton and taken up coal mining or whatever for a living, these stories would never get a run in the press, or maybe 3 lines on page 15 mentioning a court appearance.
I would personally know thousands people who have done worse, and after a month or so, all is forgotten, because there aren't any front page stories about it.
I'm particularly filthy about the current blow up, because it started out as a story about rugby union and AFL, but the second the press could turn it into a story about RL, K Hunt got a free pass, and it's all about how much damage can be done to the RL brand, yet again.
These are nothing stories if you take out the RL angle. Thousands of young blokes every year do these sort of things, and the only ones who make front page news are RL players.
I worked with offenders and addicts my whole working life, and i've seen psychopathic murderers get better press than a RL player who takes a single drug or has a single angry moment. I'd like to say that is hyperbole, but it isn't.
I know you are trying to say that my ethics are twisted because i don't share your outrage at the things you see highlighted in the gutter press, but I can tell you that I have seen a hell of a lot of the worst of human behaviour, and very few RL players rate a 1 out of 10 on my ratings of vile behaviour, despite how much press they get.
 
They need a good solicitor...only 1 guy can get them off..

image.jpg
 
Well I have to say we disagree here mate because , I don't see the press doing anything wrong here they are just doing what they are supposed to do report the news. But you call it gutter press well that must mean all of the press as its on everything , that puzzles me a bit as you seem to think the press are **** but not the players who are on drug SUPPLY charges ....
Seems to me if the players didn't break the law , break they,re contracts and bring our game too an all time low ...there would be no story for the gutter press to publish .....
These guys are Hero,s and role models to our kids they know this and they are on big money to play and act right ......
IMO if they are found guilty the Titans and the league should sue these guys for every cent they own and IF the club were to be shut down because of this all the players who lose they,re contracts , jobs , whatever should sue the crap out of them too.
 
The drug supply for me isn't as bad as incident's involving violence, wether it's DV related or not.

At the end if the day a supply charge is as simple as giving it o a friend for personal use.

It's top end due to being cocaine however.

When you have guys like Robert Lui running around and playing in a women in league round it really is taking the pi$$

The NRL likes to think they are serious.
 
NRL takes control of Gold Coast Titans

NRL

2:30pm Tue 24th February, 2015

The NRL today took control of the Gold Coast Titans Rugby League football club.

CEO Dave Smith said the move would secure the long term future of the club – and ensure the Gold Coast retained a team in the NRL.

"In other words, it is an important day for fans, the club and its sponsors," he said.

Mr Smith said the Titans club was facing serious financial difficulties and the NRL had therefore decided to terminate the club's licence and take over the running of the Titans itself.

The club has been placed in voluntary administration by the Directors after conceding the club could no longer continue to meet its financial obligations, including staff and player salaries.

Mr Smith assured fans that the club would remain on the Gold Coast and it would be business as usual for the football team.

"The only difference for Titans fans is that they will have the security of knowing their team has a long term future on the Gold Coast," Mr Smith said.

"This is an important region for Rugby League and the Titans remain part of our long term plans for the game.

"This move will give the club a fresh start with the certainty that the players, staff and fans want."

Mr Smith said Rebecca Frizelle (Chair), and Directors Darryl Kelly and Paul Donovan will remain on the Board.

Graham Annesley will continue as CEO.

"In very difficult circumstances the Board has made a great contribution and we look forward to continuing to work with them to stabilise the club," Mr Smith said.

"And, in time, the Board will be further strengthened.

"There are some issues ahead of us but we are determined to make this a strong, viable club.

"We have already made good headway at the Newcastle Knights and, with a strong Board and management team, the same can be achieved for players, staff and fans of the Gold Coast Titans.

"The NRL will consider longer term ownership options at an appropriate future point, but, for now, our priority is stabilising the club."


http://www.nrl.com/nrl-takes-control-of-gold-coast-titans/tabid/10874/newsid/84020/default.aspx
 
CCC Media Statement — 24.02.2015

The Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) has decided to issue this statement to clarify information about its ongoing investigation into a cocaine trafficking syndicate operating in South-East Queensland.

Suggestions the CCC leaked information to the media

The CCC has received a number of requests for detailed briefings on this investigation and the CCC has declined. The CCC cannot control reporting where details have come from sources other than the CCC.

The CCC routinely investigates highly sensitive and high profile matters across both its crime and public sector corruption divisions.

It is the long-standing practice of the CCC not to release specific details or operational information during the course of its investigations.

The CCC has issued two media releases about this investigation.

The CCC did not name individuals in these statements.

The CCC issued the second media release after other parties had already named the individuals served with Notices to Appear in Court.

Scope of the CCC investigation

There have been a number of inaccurate media reports about this ongoing investigation.

The CCC understands there is a high level of interest in this investigation from a number of organisations and the media.

However, the CCC cautions against the use of information from sources other than the CCC.

The totality of these inaccuracies has led to reports that exaggerate the scope of the CCC’s current investigation.

Restrictions on providing information

The secrecy provisions of the Crime and Corruption Act 2001 and other legislation prevent the CCC from releasing confidential information.

The CCC appreciates some sporting organisations and individuals have an interest in the outcome of this investigation and have their own processes to enact.

However, it is not appropriate or legal for the CCC to provide briefings about its investigations to third parties, particularly when those investigations are ongoing and relate to matters before the courts.

The CCC does not brief employers or other interested third parties about allegations against the subjects of its crime investigations.

This is a criminal investigation.

The appropriate place for details of the allegations to be presented and tested is the courts.

CCC’s jurisdiction

The CCC is a Queensland state agency.

The CCC does not have the legislative basis to investigate offences that occur in other jurisdictions.

Speculation that the CCC is investigating matters in other jurisdictions is therefore inaccurate.

Timeline and limited details of investigation

The CCC’s public statements have indicated this investigation is focused on a cocaine trafficking syndicate operating in South-East Queensland.

At no stage has the CCC alleged any individuals charged in the last week have been trafficking cocaine or that there is a syndicate operating primarily in sporting organisations.

Consistent with previous media releases, the CCC will allege individuals served with a Notice to Appear in Court arranged for the supply of cocaine for personal use or to on-supply cocaine to friends and colleagues (see previous media releases).

The CCC will not allege any of the individuals charged in the last week used illegal substances in a performance enhancing capacity.

Based on current information, the CCC expects any further arrests of current or former sportspeople will occur by the end of this week or early next week.

However, if new information comes to hand the CCC may consider further arrests.

The CCC’s investigation remains focused on the cocaine trafficking syndicate.


http://www.ccc.qld.gov.au/news-and-media/ccc-media-releases/ccc-statement-2014-24.02.2015

 
Bookmakers suspend betting on Broncos v Souths game after speculation Brisbane will be drawn into cocaine scandal


  • AAP
  • FEBRUARY 25, 2015 4:34PM

BOOKMAKERS have suspended betting on the NRL round one clash between Brisbane and South Sydney as speculation grows that the Broncos will be drawn into the cocaine scandal that has engulfed south-east Queensland sporting circles.

All the major betting agencies moved to shut down markets on next Thursday’s game at Suncorp Stadium with the NRL season set to kick off under a cloud of uncertainty.

There have been strong rumours the Broncos could be the next club in the firing line after crime authorities charged five Gold Coast Titans players in the past week.

Former Bronco and Gold Coast Suns AFL player Karmichael Hunt has also been stood down by the Queensland Reds Super Rugby team after he was arrested and charged last Friday.

Matt Jenkins of TAB Sport said it would be irresponsible to punters to allow bets to be placed on the game until more information is known.

“As this story develops we have decided to suspend betting until more news happens,” Jenkins said.

“We don’t know how big this is going to be so it’s protecting the punters more than anything.”


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...-cocaine-scandal/story-fni3gv5x-1227238810101

- - - Updated - - -

Knights coach Rick Stone can empathise more than most with what Neil Henry is facing at the Titans


  • BARRY TOOHEY
  • THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
  • FEBRUARY 25, 2015 12:00AM

NEWCASTLE coach Rick Stone can empathise more than most with what coaching rival Neil Henry is faced with at Gold Coast.

And he admits managing the fallout from the Titans drugs crisis will not be easy.

Five years ago, Stone was in a similar predicament while at the helm of the Knights when Danny Wicks was charged with trafficking drugs and later sent to jail.

The media spotlight on the club at the time was suffocating while the constant speculation surrounding the number of players who may have been involved dragged the club into turmoil.

“It’s a big distraction, particularly this time of the year just before the season starts,” Stone said.

“I think ours was around Christmas time which was bad enough.

“There is a lot of scrutiny and it takes your focus from what you really need to do.

“I don’t think it’s a great thing in the game of course. Especially the timing of it.

“It seems to be always a bit of a struggle for us in rugby league.”

Stone said the unwanted attention on the club and the finger pointing is not easy to manage.

“Sometimes, the media speculation is unfair,” he said.

“I know it was for our club back in the time and it’s not easy to manage.

“But you have got to do the best you can and I wish all those boys the best up there because I know there is a lot of quality people at that club.”

Experienced Knights winger James McManus, who was at the club during the Wicks’ drugs crisis, said he feels sorry for anyone at the Titans who aren’t involved.

“I empathise with the players and the staff that have genuinely got nothing to do with it,” he said.

“It’s one of those things where you put your heart and soul into the footy and the club and then to see other blokes pull it down.

“It’s a real shame for them.

“But you get through those times, it probably strengthens your character a bit and I guess you have really got to pull together as a group.”


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...d-with-at-titans/story-fni3gf5j-1227237458106
 
Yes it could be as simple as giving a line to a friend , but it could also be for supply Quantity and in it for the big money couldn't it
 
Two more former Titans players on Crime and Corruption Commission radar


  • JEREMY PIERCE GOLD COAST BUREAU
  • THE COURIER-MAIL
  • FEBRUARY 26, 2015 12:00AM

FORMER Gold Coast Titans stars remain in the crosshairs of the Crime and Corruption Commission cocaine investigation which has left the club reeling.

Already six past and present Titans have been charged with supplying the drug and at least two more are on the radar of investigators who have been conducting a year-long probe in to a major cocaine cartel operating in southeast Queensland.

One has even told friends and family that he expects to be arrested.

Meanwhile, former player Joe Vickery and fringe first grader Kalifa Faifai Loa were both called in to Southport Police Station to provide fingerprints ahead of their day in court next month.

The CCC alleges Titans players sourced cocaine from a syndicate allegedly involving former rugby league players John Touma, Jason Smith and Matt Seers.

Those three are facing the more serious charge of cocaine trafficking.

Touma, one of the alleged kingpins of the operation, was meant to be living on the Gold Coast until his next court appearance on March 11, but successfully altered his bail conditions allowing him to live in Manly in Sydney.

The 49-year-old played rugby league for the Sydney Roosters in the 1980s, appearing in two first grade matches.

One of his charges alleges he supplied cocaine to John Tobin, a former Roosters teammate who racked up more than 100 appearances for the Tri-Colours in the 70s and 80s.

In a statement released this week, the CCC said any further charges against past and present sports stars should be finalised by early next week unless new information comes to light.


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...commission-radar/story-fni3grk4-1227239027003
 
Angry Broncos star Corey Parker fed up with drug rumours as investigation continues


  • CHRIS GARRY AND PETER BADEL
  • THE COURIER-MAIL
  • FEBRUARY 26, 2015 3:15PM

BRONCOS veteran Corey Parker has hit out at rumours linking his club to the Crime Commission’s drug investigations, demanding journalists name the players they are speculating about.

Brisbane have become the source of speculation and rumour linking them to the cocaine crisis that has engulfed the Queensland Reds, Gold Coast Suns and Gold Coast Titans.

No charges have been laid against any Brisbane player despite rumours circulating for a week.

Privately, the Broncos are unconcerned at the reports.

A frustrated Parker said he was tired of the rumours.

“What names are they?” Parker said after being asked how he felt about names being speculated.

“You keep talking about five names floating around but you can’t give me one.

“It is rumour and innuendo and until such time as those five names are specified or those people are tapped on the shoulder there is nothing else for me to say.

“They are just rumours and until such time as something else ... that’s all I have for you.

“Society in general has those hiccups but we are about to start round one and there were three brilliant games in England.

“Our main focus is round one. It is all innuendo and rumours.”

The Broncos play South Sydney at home in round one next Thursday and officially launch their season this Friday night.


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...gation-continues/story-fni3gv5x-1227240070016
 
Gold Coast Titans hid five positive doping tests after 2007 Mad Monday celebrations


  • JAMES HOOPER
  • THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
  • FEBRUARY 26, 2015 9:00PM

THE Gold Coast are no strangers to players dabbling in illicit drugs on Mad Monday, with the Titans previously netting five positive results the year the club was founded in 2007.

Sport Confidential can reveal Titans management covered-up the results of the in-house testing the day after Mad Monday, which jagged one big-name player and four other members of the club’s NRL roster.

None of the players in question are still employed at the Titans, but all were issued with a written employment warning and fined five per cent of their contracts.

Under the Titans previous management structure, the club decided to covertly target test its entire roster the morning after Mad Monday.

No players were made aware of the impending drug tests, but some became flustered when informed they were about to become subject to a urine test.

Intent on avoiding a public-relations nightmare, the Titans opted to bury the five positive results.

We spoke to one former player who confirmed the results.

None of the players currently charged with drugs supply were at the Titans at the time.


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...day-celebrations/story-fnp0lyn3-1227240443753
 
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