Queensland Reds recruit Karmichael Hunt will not face the Highlanders on Friday in Dunedin following last week’s news the code-hopping star will face court for supplying cocaine.
Hunt is set to face charges over supply of a dangerous drug in the Southport Magistrates Court on March 5 along with five Gold Coast Titans also charged with drug offences.
The Guardian reports charges were made following Crime and Corruption Commission surveillance operation on a lone accused drug dealer. The outcome has embroiled a yet to be identified retired sporting “household” name, Hunt and the Titans players.
Tailed by the CCC to Titan Greg Bird’s buck’s party, the charged athletes are accused of supplying cocaine “for personal use or to on-supply cocaine to friends and colleagues” in September and October last year.
“Following extensive consultation with Karmichael over the weekend, we have determined that it continues to be best for Karmichael’s welfare that he is not available for selection this Friday,” Queensland Reds chief executive Jim Carmichael said in a statement.
“As this highly complicated matter is due before the courts and is part of a wider and ongoing investigation by the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission, we will continue not to prejudice the player’s legal or contractual rights and we will apply the principles of natural justice.”
Hunt was held out of last weekend’s win over the Western Force at Suncorp Stadium.
The CCC investigation occurred while Hunt was technically still a member of the Gold Coast Suns, however he appears to be the only AFL player involved in alleged supply of dangerous drugs.
“Let me stay away from specifics – we don’t have those,” AFL operations manager Mark Evans said on Monday.”But it’s fair to say we’ll be having plenty of conservations just to make sure Gold Coast Suns are dealing with this appropriately within their playing group.
“There are discussions between the AFL and Gold Coast – and more broadly to other clubs as well, who are quite interested in what’s going on.”
“I will need to be mindful of not jumping to any conclusions or going anywhere where I shouldn’t.”
Photo: Chris Hyde/Getty Images.
