NRL Star Brandon Smith Charged Over Drug Supply, Betting Offences
Queensland Police have charged NRL star Brandon Smith with supplying dangerous drugs and using inside knowledge for betting, in a case that has rocked the rugby league world.
The 29-year-old South Sydney Rabbitohs hooker was questioned by detectives at Gold Coast Airport earlier this month before being formally charged on August 20.
Police confirmed Smith has been issued with a summons and is scheduled to appear before the Southport Magistrates Court on September 18.
Charges confirmed by police
A Queensland Police spokesperson said in a statement:
“A 29-year-old man has been issued with a summons by Queensland Police on August 20 for supplying dangerous drugs and using or disclosing inside knowledge for betting. The man is expected to appear in the Southport Magistrates Court on September 18.”
The charges are the result of an investigation led by detectives from the Organised Crime Gangs Group, Taskforce Maxima, South Eastern Region.
Taskforce Maxima, originally set up in 2013 to combat outlaw motorcycle gangs, has since expanded its mandate to cover a broad range of serious organised crime activities.
Club response
The South Sydney Rabbitohs confirmed they were aware of the allegations.
“The South Sydney Rabbitohs are aware of allegations made by Queensland Police against player Brandon Smith,” a club spokesperson said. “The club has informed the NRL Integrity Unit about the allegations. As this matter is part of a Queensland Police investigation, the Rabbitohs will be making no further comment at this stage.”
The NRL’s Integrity Unit is expected to review the charges, but as of now, Smith remains available for selection.
Earlier questioning
Smith was first questioned at Gold Coast Airport, where Queensland Police Commissioner Shane Chelepy later told radio station 4BC that the move was “opportunistic.”
“We spoke to him, he cooperated with us and we have an ongoing police matter there,” Chelepy said.
At the time, police said there was no immediate suggestion Smith had done anything wrong, although the investigation remained active.
The NRL also stated it had “no information relating to a potential breach of the NRL rules by the player.”
A decorated career in doubt
Smith has played 152 NRL games across a nine-year career with the Melbourne Storm, Sydney Roosters, and South Sydney Rabbitohs.
He won a premiership with the Storm in 2020 and has represented New Zealand in more than a dozen international matches.
However, his 2024 season with South Sydney has been plagued by injuries, limiting him to just four appearances so far.
What happens next
If found guilty, Smith could face significant legal penalties as well as sanctions from the NRL. The charges of dangerous drug supply and misuse of inside knowledge for betting are serious offences that strike at the heart of both public safety and the integrity of professional sport.
The NRL Integrity Unit is monitoring the situation closely, though the league has not yet indicated whether Smith will be stood down pending the court process.
For now, Smith remains on bail and is expected to continue training with the Rabbitohs as the case moves forward.
The charges raise fresh concerns for the NRL, which has been battling a series of off-field scandals in recent years, and could prove one of the most high-profile cases of alleged misconduct involving a current player.
With a court appearance looming in September, Brandon Smith’s playing future — and his reputation as one of the league’s most recognisable talents — now hangs in the balance.
