Wallabies star and Queensland Reds back Karmichael Hunt has been charged with drug possession, after police allegedly caught him with what is believed to be cocaine.
Hunt’s lawyer Adam Magill said the 31-year-old was arrested in Brisbane along with another man on the side of the road on McLachlan Street in Fortitude Valley in the early hours of Saturday morning.
He has been charged with two counts of drug possession.
Hunt was granted watch-house bail at 4:00am Saturday and is due to appear in Brisbane’s Magistrates Court on January 29.
A 32-year-old man was also charged with one count of possessing an item used in a drug offence — believed to be a mobile phone — and will appear in court at a later date.
In a statement, Rugby Australia confirmed it was aware of the incident involving Hunt.
“It is understood Hunt was arrested and has subsequently been released by Queensland police,” the statement said.
“Rugby Australia takes all matters relating to the off-field behaviour of its players seriously and has commenced an investigation into the incident in conjunction with the Queensland Rugby Union.
“No further comment will be made at this time.”
In March 2015, Hunt was fined $2,500 after pleading guilty to four counts of cocaine possession and also fined $30,000 by rugby officials and suspended for six weeks.
Hunt was among seven Gold Coast Titans players charged over an alleged drugs ring uncovered by Queensland’s Crime and Corruption Commission.