Why a high-profile sports star connected to an international drugs syndicate STILL can't be named - despite losing a court battle to keep his identity secret
- The sports star is connected to an international drug syndicate case
- He alleged transferred money for the syndicate and purchased drugs for them
- His lawyer requested continued name suppression, but the magistrate declined
- He remains unnamed as his lawyer will take the case to the Court of Appeal
A high-profile sports star allegedly connected to an international drug syndicate cannot be named despite him losing a court battle to keep his identity suppressed.
The sports star was connect to the trial of Tevita Sitanilei Kulu, Tevita Matangi Fangupo and Toni Rajendra Finau in 2019, who were all found guilty of charges for importing methamphetamine into New Zealand.
The men planned to distribute the drugs in Auckland, with the sports star alleged to have helped the syndicate transfer money and buying the drugs.
The sportsman had requested for continued named suppression because connecting him to the pair would damage his career. But Justice Matthew Downs declined, saying the alleged crimes were serious and his identity was in the public interest to show why police didn't charge him.
The sports star was connect to the trial of Tevita Sitanilei Kulu, Tevita Matangi Fangupo and Toni Rajendra Finau in 2019, who were all found guilty of charges for importing methamphetamine into New Zealand (stock image)
While the judge understood naming the sportsman would cause him hardship, criminal trials needed to be held in public in the interests in open justice.
But despite losing the suppression bid, his lawyer, Mike Heron QC, said he will take the case to the Court of Appeal, Stuff reported, meaning the suppression stays in force.
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Mr Heron' client denies any involvement in the drug syndicate or the purchasing and planned distribution of methamphetamine.
The Crown said the police had a search warrant for the sports man's phone before the 2019 trial but it was never executed and he was never charged.
Though he was mentioned during the trial of the three men, the Crown's evidence against the unnamed man has never been tested in the court.
The men planned to distribute the drugs in Auckland, with the sports star alleged to have helped the syndicate transfer money and buying the drugs. The sportsman had requested for continued named suppression because connecting him to the pair would damage his career.(stock image)
But Justice Matthew Downs declined, saying the alleged crimes were serious and his identity was in the public interest to show why police didn't charge him (pictured: The sports man's lawyer, Mike Heron QC)
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