Troubled ex-AFL star Sam Fisher’s battle with drug addiction is revealed as he stands trial charged with allegedly trafficking large quantities of drugs across Australia
- Sam Fisher has made “excellent progress” in drug rehabilitation, the attorney told the court
- The former Saints star is seeking a release into the community before being heard
- Fisher is said to have smuggled $230,000 worth of drugs from Victoria to Perth
- Police allegedly seized more than 13 grams of methylamphetamine from the home
- Fisher played 13 seasons in the AFL with the Saints and retired in 2016
Retired AFL star Sam Fisher has made “excellent progress” on drug rehabilitation as he seeks community release ahead of a hearing into his alleged involvement in the $230,000 drug trade from Melbourne to Perth.
The 39-year-old former St Kilda player was taken to an inpatient rehabilitation facility in June after being arrested and charged with alleged trafficking in a large commercial quantity of methylamphetamine, dealing in cocaine and possession of narcotic drugs.
Police allege that Fisher arranged for a package to be shipped from Melbourne to Perth containing a kilogram of methylamphetamine and 84 grams of cocaine.
Former Saints player Sam Fisher has made “excellent progress” on drug rehabilitation, his attorney said in court. He will attempt to be released into the community from Melbourne to Perth before his hearing over his alleged involvement in a $230,000 drug trade
Fisher (who was on trial in 2011) was taken to an in-patient rehab facility in June after being arrested and charged with alleged trafficking in a large commercial quantity of methylamphetamine, trafficking in cocaine and possession of narcotic drugs
The drugs, allegedly hidden in a cooker hood, were seized by WA Police on April 20 this year.
Fisher was reportedly caught on CCTV buying the range hood and dropping off the package at a coffee shop in south-east Melbourne on the morning of April 20.
Police claim a courier then picked up the package and took it to the airport.
WA detectives also claim they intercepted a second package containing $129,000 bound for Melbourne on April 20.
Perth man Julien Morvan was arrested and charged in connection with the seizure on April 21.
Police searched Morvan’s phone and allegedly found messages between him and Fisher relating to the drugs allegedly contained in the intercepted package.
Police allege that Fisher arranged for a package to be shipped from Melbourne to Perth containing a kilogram of methylamphetamine and 84 grams of cocaine. The drugs were allegedly hidden in a fume hood
Officers arrested Fisher on May 18 and searched his Sandringham home, allegedly seizing more than 13 grams of methylamphetamine and nearly two liters of 1,4-butanediol.
Police also told the court that they found $985 in cash, a human growth hormone kit and three cell phones.
The former Saints defender, who was twice named the club’s best and fairest club, stood away from his treatment facility in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
The court previously heard that Fisher had been using 30ml of the drug GHB daily since the breakdown of his relationship and was regularly using methamphetamine before his arrest.
His defense attorney, Dermot Dann QC, said his client had done well in solving his addiction problems but the criminal case against him had faced significant delays.
The two-time St Kilda Best and Fairest (pictured chairing his last AFL game) admitted to being a drug addict
Mr Dann said prosecutors have yet to turn over a number of materials to the defense team, including DNA, fingerprints and other forensic evidence.
The court heard prosecutors were still awaiting analysis of swabs taken from electrical tape used to wrap packages found stuffed in a range hood.
At a bail hearing in June, it was revealed that drugs and cash were routinely hidden in white goods and shipped between Melbourne and Perth.
“The worrying thing is that there is no way to give an estimate of when this material will be ready,” Mr Dann said in court on Wednesday.
Prosecutor Laura Zubreckyj told court analysts that they were facing a significant delay and could not provide a meaningful answer as to when the pending evidence would be available.
Fisher played 13 seasons and 228 games for the Saints before retiring in 2016
Both parties requested that the matter be adjourned for a month.
Fisher’s attorney also noted that his client’s 90-day treatment program was nearing its end and that he would soon be applying to be allowed to be released from the facility into the community.
The 39-year-old, who retired from the AFL in 2016, has no criminal record.
The matter will be heard in court on September 21.
