Karmichael Hunt Pleads Guilty to Drug Charges: Latest Details and Reaction

Rugby players Karmichael Hunt, Jamie Dowling and Beau Falloon have been charged with four counts of supplying cocaine by Queensland's Crime and Corruption Commission, according to several reports. Hunt pled guilty on March 4.

Continue for updates.

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Lawyer: Hunt Will Pay for 'Rest of His Life'

Thursday, Mar. 5

Hunt's representatives highlighted the burden he must now carry, per Gold Coast News:

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Hunt Pleads Guilty to Drug Charges, Suspended for 6 Months From Australian Rugby Union

Wednesday, Mar. 4

News.com.au previously reported that Hunt "pled guilty to downgraded drug offences at Southport Magistrates Court this morning." Steve Hart of FOX reported that he will owe a $2,500 fine, while Super Rugby reported that he's been suspended for six months and has been fined $30,000 by the Australian Rugby Union. FOX Sports added that Hunt will also undergo a drug rehab and treatment program and will be placed on a drug testing program.

Kendall Gilding of 7 News in Brisbane added that Wayne Bennett was one of several people who gave references to the court in the Hunt case.

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Two More Linked to Drug Scandal

Saturday, Feb. 21

Michael Carayannis of The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Greg Bird and Dave Taylor have both been stood down by the Titans while being linked to the drug scandal. It's also noted that both have been served with notices to appear before the court. 

Carayannis also indicated that "The pair join teammates Beau Falloon, Jamie Dowling and Kalifa Faifai Loa to be stood down by the club. Reports suggest former St George Illawarra and Gold Coast winger Joe Vickery has also been served."

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Hunt Charged With Cocaine Distribution

Friday, Feb. 20

According to The Guardian's Joshua Robertson, the CCC released a statement explaining how the charge came to be:

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He was charged along with two other men and a woman whom the CCC said had been “identified allegedly arranging the supply of cocaine during an ongoing drug trafficking investigation.”

“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,” it said.

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A multi-sport star, Hunt is currently playing for the Queensland Reds of the Super Rugby competition. He's perhaps best known for his time with Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League or his success in Aussie Rules football, where he played for Gold Coast.

He was assigned as vice-captain of the Reds last January, the same month Queensland rugby league player Jason Smith was charged for trafficking cocaine, per Robertson.

According to Robertson, Hunt's arrest is related to Smith's last month.