Karmichael Hunt has been charged with four counts of supplying cocaine by Queensland’s Crime and Corruption Commission.
The Queensland Reds star is due to appear in Southport Magistrate Court on March 5. The Reds and the Australian Rugby Union released a statement on Friday morning saying they had been made aware of the reports surrounding Karmichael Hunt and were seeking more details on the matter.
The statement said both bodies would be in a position to make a further comment after making their own enquiries.
The former Australia rugby league player was one of four people – three men and one woman – charged. It is alleged they arranged for cocaine for personal use or to be passed on to friends or colleagues between June and December 2014. Hunt was playing AFL for the Gold Coast Suns during that time.
“During an investigation focused on a cocaine trafficking syndicate operating in South East Queensland, these four individuals were identified contacting the syndicate and arranging for the supply of cocaine,” Queensland’s Crime and Corruption Commission’s statement read.
Hunt’s co-accused, a Burleigh Waters man, 24, a Mermaid Waters man, 27, and a Mermaid Waters woman, 22, will also appear in court on March 5.
Code jumper Hunt began his career playing rugby league for the Brisbane Broncos in 2004.
At fullback Hunt helped the Broncos take out the 2006 NRL premiership and earned himself selection in both the Queensland State of Origin and Australian squads.
By 2009 Hunt had grown weary of the NRL. He shocked the sporting community by announcing a code switch, not to the widely expected rugby union, but to AFL.
That year he signed a three-year contract with new franchise the Gold Coast Suns, whose inaugural season kicked off in 2011.
Hunt played in the Suns midfield alongside the likes of AFL great Gary Ablett until 2014 and described AFL as “the best game that is out there”, after playing 44 games in his three campaigns.
But due to persistent injury concerns Hunt decided to quit the sport.
“My genetics suggest I should be playing another game,” he said.
In August, Hunt announced that he would be leaving the Suns to try and break through to the Wallabies squad. He had previously dipped in and out of rugby union overseas with French club Biarritz Olympique.
Hunt made his debut for the Queensland Reds in Super Rugby only last week, playing fly-half as the Reds were thrashed 47-3 by the Brumbies in Canberra.
Reds coach Richard Graham had planned on shifting Hunt to fullback for Saturday’s game against the Force.
“Karmichael has given the team a lot of confidence playing 15,” Graham said on Thursday.
“His communication is excellent, obviously [he has] courage and commitment in defence and then there’s his kicking. That ultimately made my mind up for me.”
nt’s position in Saturday’s line up could now be in jeopardy.
This story first appeared in The Age
