Canberra Raiders recruit Daine Laurie is expected to be probed by the NRL over an incident on Mad Monday last year, just days away from the club’s first match of the season.
As first reported by News Corp, Laurie was charged by NSW Police on September 29 after being stopped on Memorial Avenue in Penrith, but the charge was later withdrawn in court.
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According to the publication, police officers inspected the vehicle, where Laurie was the passenger and allegedly found 0.37 grams of cocaine.
“Following representations made by the man’s legal representative, a criminal infringement notice was issued and the charge withdrawn at Court,” NSW Police told Foxsports.com.au in a statement.
Despite the charges being dropped on November 10 and his matter being dismissed, News Corp reports that the NRL’s Integrity Unit is looking into the issue.
Laurie’s solicitor Pat Duffy told the outlet new laws introduced by the NSW government meant Laurie could have been issued a $400 on-the-spot fine, which they then agreed to do.
“I was instructed immediately and raised with police that Mr Laurie should not have been charged,” Duffy said.
“Police agreed to withdraw the charge. A Criminal Infringement Notice (CIN) was then issued.
“It (the charge) was withdrawn at the first instance, at the request of the police, and no adverse finding of wrongdoing was made against Mr Laurie by the court.”
The alleged incident happened one day after the team he was contracted to at the time – Penrith Panthers – lost in the preliminary final to the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.
“Panthers has been in discussions over the past few days with the NRL,” a spokesperson from Laurie’s former club said in a statement.
The Canberra Raiders have declined to comment.
