More Knights to face drugs allegations?

Saturday 19th December 2009

By STEVE MASCORD

POLICE wire taps have identified a number of Newcastle players who appeared to be negotiating drug deals with prop Danny Wicks, according to reports in Sydney on Sunday.

The Sun-Herald reports that a group of Knights stars will be interviewed by police in a
potentially distastrous twist to story which started when the forward was arrested
during the week on multiple charges relating to drug dealing. Discussing the likely impact of the scandal, an un-named police officer is quoted as telling the newspaper: ‘‘The joke is - and it is a true joke - they are odds on to get the wooden spoon, but you can't lay bets on which team will finish last."

Wicks, 24, on Wednesday was charged with four counts of supplying amphetamines, two counts of supplying ecstasy and two of drug possession.  He is the first Australian professional sportsman in memory to be charged over drug dealing and the affair has completely eclipsed dramas involving Jake Friend and Paul Gallen in the preceding
days.

He was released on $80,000 bail and his team-mates were warned against having contact with him.  Allegations he supplied some of them were first aired at a preliminary hearing.

The Sun-Herald reports that his former flatmate, second rower Chris Houston, is not accused of any wrongdoing although he is wanted as a witness.  It quoted a police source as saying that even if players were not charged as clients of Wicks, the evidence would still be damaging enough to force the club or the NRL to take action against them.

Knights CEO Steve Burraston said:‘‘These are extremely serious allegations. There is a police investigation under way and in no way would we intend to hinder that investigation with speculation.

‘‘We are unaware of these new allegations. However, if police come to us with the evidence you're suggesting, it will be dealt with in the appropriate manner."