Karmichael Hunt charged with cocaine supply.

[BDA]

This is my take on drugs regardless of what sport/activity that you may undertake as a professional, in recreation or the lifestyle you live.
I have been working in a corrections facility for the last 2 years and if anyone has any doubt about what drugs can/will do,regardless of how they are obtained, you should come and work where I work. You will see the torment/irreversible damage that they do to themselves and their families let alone the lives of the victims parents,wives, husbands,siblings & children that they also leave wrecked and often unretrievable.
Any drug,legal or illegal, that is inappropriately used for whatever reason is wrong and inexcusable. Yes I know that I am taking the "moral high ground" but in this instance I think I may have some authority to do so as the possible end result is horrific.

A2O - Am I right in assuming you are also anti-alcohol? It is after-all the drug that does more damage to our society than any other.

I agree that drug use / addiction is a serious problem in society. the problem is that prohibition does nothing to address / curb serious addiction. The truth is it makes matters worse.

Look at Portugal where drugs are decriminalised. There has been a major reduction in drug related crimes and the spread of diseases like HIV and Hepatitis.

Only a very small percentage of drug users are addicts. Studies have shown that about 99% of addiction is caused by sociological factors. living in poor communities, poor education, lack of good job prospects, lack of a good family and/or friend support base, social or economic inequality. These are things that create addicts, not the drugs themselves (although there are exceptions). I suppose my point is that we as a community should be a lot smarter in trying to address these drug problems that you rightly point out exist. Rather than saying "drugs are bad, condemn anyone who takes them", how about we spend our resources more productively by improving living standards, improving education and job opportunities and better educating society on the effects of drugs.

I'm not sure what the QPS spend on fighting drugs every year but I'd wager its a butt load. I'm not sure how much the QPS/CCC will have spent on Hunt's matter before its all said and done but I can say with absolute certainty that it'll far out-weigh the benefit that the Queensland public are getting in return. In fact, Id go as far as to say this whole prosecution will be an absolute disaster for our state - considering the titans are now on the brink of collapse. And for what? If the idea of this is to tackle the problem of drugs in the community, this is not the solution IMHO

 

[TOCC]

Rugby players have 4 weeks annual leave a year, where they are still expected to do some semblance of fitness training. So it may be 4 months from a competition but at the most it's only 4 weeks to the next hard training session.

Surely being more alert and resistant to pain would allow you to train harder and therefore get better gains and improvements (and impress the coaches) than non-users?

And most sports have differing in- and out-of-competition testing.

I have 'mates' who take cocaine, and it's definitely not a performance enhancer if you are looking at the broader pre-season... These are fit guys and when they come down from a big high try are utterly useless the next 2 days..



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Cat_A]

I have 'mates' who take cocaine, and it's definitely not a performance enhancer if you are looking at the broader pre-season. There are fit guys and when they come down from a big high try are utterly useless the next 2 days.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Agreed - it has performance enhancing qualities, but an overall detrimental effect on performance.

My point was that it's not a purely recreational drug.

 

[Brumby Runner]

"presumably" is the key word there, presumption isn't a precedence.
ARU could have stood him down, it would have been largely symbolic but they didn't, so as of recent history there is no precedence set on such issues.

My point is that the letter issued to Poey is the precedent that should at least be followed by the ARU in K's case.

 

[emuarse]

Campbell McCullum, criminal lawyer representing four of the league players facing charges, including Rick Bird & David Taylor, states that his clients have maintained that the allegations are false.
Karmichael Hunt is probably a bit smarter, and not saying anything.
If this is a beat up by the QCCC, then they are surely going to have egg all over their faces.
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/rug...fa-faifai-loa-stood-down-20150223-13li87.html

 

[Strewthcobber]

Interesting that Dave Taylor has been charged with possession as well as supply which suggests he allegedly accepted delivery of the goods as well as making the phone call.

 

[Lorenzo]

LOL at anyone that thinks cocaine is performance enhancing for anyone other than professional shit-talkers.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Campbell McCullum, criminal lawyer representing four of the league players facing charges, including Rick Bird & David Taylor, states that his clients have maintained that the allegations are false.
Karmichael Hunt is probably a bit smarter, and not saying anything.
If this is a beat up by the QCCC, then they are surely going to have egg all over their faces.
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/rug...fa-faifai-loa-stood-down-20150223-13li87.html

Trouble is that IF it is a beat-up then careers are fucked, families potentially ruined and reputations sullied forever more.

If that is the case the QCCC ( via the Govt) should pay many many miliions to each and every player AND the investigating officers publicly named, shamed and sacked

 

[I like to watch]

I couldn't agree more, ILTW, but I was responding to Rathbone's contention that the illicit drug policy is 'draconian' and masquerading as player welfare.

I think a mandatory 4 year ban for supplying friends with a recreational drug is draconian.
It's designed to end their careers.

 

[Slim 293]

Campbell McCullum, criminal lawyer representing four of the league players facing charges, including Rick Bird & David Taylor, states that his clients have maintained that the allegations are false.
Karmichael Hunt is probably a bit smarter, and not saying anything.
If this is a beat up by the QCCC, then they are surely going to have egg all over their faces.
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/rug...fa-faifai-loa-stood-down-20150223-13li87.html

Lawyer maintains clients are innocent?

Must be true..........

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Incidentally, and just for the benefit of our Kiwi friends, Hunt was born in Auckland.


So you should obviously take some of the blame.

Does anyone know what Hunt's immigration status is? By my reckoning he was a resident prior to the law change that makes it impossible for kiwis to become Australian citizens, but did he ever exercise that right or is he, like Quade Cooper, Russell Crowe & ~500,000 others, here on a Special Category Visa?

If so then conviction on drug offences jeopardises his right to residency & of course should he travel OS he might have some issues re-entering Aus: I know people who've been turned back for far less than possession of a Class A drug for the purpose of supply.

 

[ACT Crusader]

Knowing the lengths that law enforcement and investigative agencies go through before they even bring a charge, I highly doubt this is some beat up.

I'm not saying it's a foregone conclusion, but there will be evidence of very questionable behaviour, whether it fits within the definitions of the legislative precedents will be in the hands of the judiciary.

What isn't great is the trial by media that seems to be playing out, but given the public figures involved that is hardly surprising. Foxsports could reign it in a bit IMO.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

Does anyone know what Hunt's immigration status is? By my reckoning he was a resident prior to the law change that makes it impossible for kiwis to become Australian citizens, but did he ever exercise that right or is he, like Quade Cooper, Russell Crowe & ~500,000 others, here on a Special Category Visa?

If so then conviction on drug offences jeopardises his right to residency & of course should he travel OS he might have some issues re-entering Aus: I know people who've been turned back for far less than possession of a Class A drug for the purpose of supply.

A soon as Rupert's editors start referring to him as "expat NZer K Hunt" we'll know he's a shot bird.

 

[ACT Crusader]

Does anyone know what Hunt's immigration status is? By my reckoning he was a resident prior to the law change that makes it impossible for kiwis to become Australian citizens, but did he ever exercise that right or is he, like Quade Cooper, Russell Crowe & ~500,000 others, here on a Special Category Visa?

If so then conviction on drug offences jeopardises his right to residency & of course should he travel OS he might have some issues re-entering Aus: I know people who've been turned back for far less than possession of a Class A drug for the purpose of supply.

According to his bio he came to Australia in 1997. If I recall SCVs commenced in 94 and if you were a NZ citizen in OZ prior to that you automatically went on an SCV. If you arrived after it you had to go on a SVC. so unless he has become an Australian citizen we can assume he is on a SCV

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^^^^^^ the key date is 26/02/01:

"As a New Zealand citizen your eligibility for Australian citizenship depends on whether you arrived in Australia before or after 26 February 2001.

"On arrival in Australia, most New Zealand citizens are automatically granted a Special Category visa (SCV). An SCV is a temporary visa, but it allows the holder to remain and work in Australia. If you were present in Australia on 26 February 2001 as the holder of an SCV, you may be eligible to apply for Australian citizenship.

"On 26 February 2001, the Australian Government announced that New Zealand citizens arriving after 26 February 2001 are required to apply for and be granted a permanent visa if they wish to access certain social security payments, obtain Australian citizenship or sponsor their family members for permanent residence."

http://www.citizenship.gov.au/applying/how_to_apply/nz/

As of that date he was AFAIK a resident but, as you say, if he's never taken up the citizenship option then he's SCV for ever.

 

[Almost 2 old]

A2O - Am I right in assuming you are also anti-alcohol? It is after-all the drug that does more damage to our society than any other.

I agree that drug use / addiction is a serious problem in society. the problem is that prohibition does nothing to address / curb serious addiction. The truth is it makes matters worse.

Look at Portugal where drugs are decriminalised. There has been a major reduction in drug related crimes and the spread of diseases like HIV and Hepatitis.

Only a very small percentage of drug users are addicts. Studies have shown that about 99% of addiction is caused by sociological factors. living in poor communities, poor education, lack of good job prospects, lack of a good family and/or friend support base, social or economic inequality. These are things that create addicts, not the drugs themselves (although there are exceptions). I suppose my point is that we as a community should be a lot smarter in trying to address these drug problems that you rightly point out exist. Rather than saying "drugs are bad, condemn anyone who takes them", how about we spend our resources more productively by improving living standards, improving education and job opportunities and better educating society on the effects of drugs.

I'm not sure what the QPS spend on fighting drugs every year but I'd wager its a butt load. I'm not sure how much the QPS/CCC will have spent on Hunt's matter before its all said and done but I can say with absolute certainty that it'll far out-weigh the benefit that the Queensland public are getting in return. In fact, Id go as far as to say this whole prosecution will be an absolute disaster for our state - considering the titans are now on the brink of collapse. And for what? If the idea of this is to tackle the problem of drugs in the community, this is not the solution IMHO

Yep I as I stated ,I have the same opinion to any drug that is used inappropriately regardless of its legal status.

 

[maxdacat]

I have 'mates' who take cocaine,

hook me up bro!!

 

[Slim 293]

A bit of a maybe and a likely, but.............

The footballers allegedly caught up in Queensland's cocaine scandal may have been captured on video liaising with an accused drug dealer at the centre of the unfolding drama, which stands to net more big names.

Fairfax Media has been told Crime and Corruption Commission investigators are likely to have video surveillance of some of the footballers meeting with John Touma, 49, a former Sydney Roosters player who was in February charged with cocaine supply and possession.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/rug...with-accused-drug-dealer-20150223-13mmqf.html


The gist of the article is that the CCC's evidence is likely to come from recorded phone conversations, text messages and video surveillance of all of these players dealings with John Touma...........

 

[qwerty51]

Not a very strong case if they've only got text messages buying drugs from him. Looks like none have been caught with possession. I feel for them, if they were average punters the police wouldn't give two shits about going after them. When police seize drug dealers phones they don't bat an eye at the clients buying.

These trumped up supply charges are bizarre.

 

[Slim 293]

I'm not sure if it's already been mentioned, but he's now been barred from training with the Reds...........

Behind paywall:

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spo...ed-from-training/story-e6frg7o6-1227236252137