Australian Rugby star Karmichael Hunt in game action with the Queensland Reds. (Getty)
Karmichael Hunt, has been charged with supplying cocaine as part of an investigation by Queensland’s Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC).
Hunt is a New Zealand-born Australian professional football player. He plays for the Queensland Reds of the Rugby Union in the Southern Hemisphere Super Rugby competition.
Here is what you need to know about Hunt:
1. Hunt Was a Dominant Rugby Player in New Zealand Before Moving to Australia
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Hunt was born in Auckland, New Zealand in November 1986. He began playing rugby at age four, and eventually moved to Brisbane, Australia when he was 11-years-old. Although he loved rugby, his childhood hero was Michael Jordan, and if rugby didn’t pan out, Hunt would have wanted to play basketball in the United States.
At 17-years-old, he made his debut for the Brisbane Broncos, and remains the youngest player to ever professionally start a game for the club.
Hunt eventually played for the Queensland Reds, and, in 2009, signed with the Gold ust Suns of the Australian Football League.
2. Hunt was arrested on Thursday evening.
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The 28-year-old was arrested and charged with four counts of supply on Thursday evening. Hunt was arrested and charged with four counts of supply on him just days after playing as five-eighth for the Queensland Reds.
According to The Guardian Australia:
Hunt’s arrest is related to an earlier joint CCC and police investigation
3. Hunt Acted in a Group Along With Another Professional Rugby Player
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Queensland authorities allegedly uncovered cocaine trafficking by another prominent footballer, one-time Queensland rugby league player Jason Smith. Smith signed in August 2014, and, in the same month, was charged with trafficking cocaine — 280g of cocaine between June and December of last year — after a joint investigation by Queensland police.
Three others were arrested: a 24-year-old man from Burleigh Waters, a 27-year-old man from Mermaid Waters and a 22-year-old woman from Mermaid Waters
4. Hunt Is Expected to Appear in court on March 5th
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Hunt is expected to appear at Southport magistrates court on March 5th. According to the police report:
The CCC will allege that during an investigation focused on a cocaine trafficking syndicate operating in south-east Queensland, these four individuals were identified contacting the syndicate and arranging for the supply of cocaine.
The three other individuals arrested are also all expected to be in court on March 5th.
5. Hunt Is 1 of Australia’s Most Popular Athletes & Successful Sportsmen
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Karmichael Hunt has been Australia’s rugby player in the last decade. He was named the 2011 Courier Mail’s Queensland Australian Rules Football Player of the Year.
Hunt’s move to Gold Coast was considered controversial at the time, but eventually a successful gamble. He quickly adapted to the new Australan Rules and became one of the league’s top midfielders.