NRL star Brandon Smith has been charged with dangerous drug supply, as well as using inside knowledge for betting, by police in Queensland.
The South Sydney Rabbitohs hooker was questioned by officers at Gold Coast Airport earlier this month.
Police have confirmed that 29-year-old Smith was charged last week, prior to playing in the Souths’ victory over the St George-Illawarra Dragons on Thursday night. He is scheduled to appear in court next month.
“A 29-year-old man has received a summons from Queensland Police on August 20 for the offenses of supplying dangerous drugs and using or disclosing insider information for betting purposes,” stated a Queensland Police representative.
“The man is expected to appear in the Southport Magistrates Court on September 18.
“Investigations by detectives from the Organised Crime Gangs Group, Taskforce Maxima, South Eastern Region, are continuing.”
Taskforce Maxima, founded by Queensland Police in 2013, initially focused on tackling outlaw bikie gangs but expanded its scope in 2017 to address all types of organized crime.
In a statement, South Sydney said it was aware of the charges against Smith.
“The South Sydney Rabbitohs are aware of allegations made by Queensland Police against player Brandon Smith,” a spokesperson for the club said.
“The club has informed the NRL Integrity Unit about the allegations.
“As this matter is part of a Queensland Police investigation, the Rabbitohs will be making no further comment at this stage.”
An NRL spokesperson told 9news.com.au that the league is “aware of the matter and is liaising with the club”.
After being questioned at Gold Coast Airport, police stated there was no current indication that Smith was involved in wrongdoing, though they acknowledged that the investigation is ongoing.
“It was opportunistic for us,” Queensland Police Commissioner Shane Chelepy told 4BC radio on August 14.
“But we spoke to him, he cooperated with us and we have an ongoing police matter there.”
Smith has played 152 NRL games in a nine-year career for the Melbourne Storm, Sydney Roosters and Rabbitohs.
He won the 2020 premiership with the Storm and has represented New Zealand in more than a dozen rugby league internationals.
Injuries have limited him to just four games for Souths this season.
