NRL 2024: Payne Haas’ father Gregor arrested in the Philippines over alleged drug charges in Indonesia
The father of Broncos star Payne Haas could face the death penalty in Indonesia after being arrested in the Philippines on alleged drug charges.
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The father of Broncos star Payne Haas could face the death penalty after being arrested in the Philippines.
Gregor Haas was arrested in Cebu City on Wednesday and faces extradition to Indonesia, where he is accused of running a sufficient quantity of drugs to qualify for the death penalty in that country.
This masthead revealed in March that Broncos prop Haas had taken custody of his two younger brothers after Gregor, a father of 10, had moved overseas to focus on business interests.
Indonesian authorities were allegedly on a manhunt for the 46-year-old since last December after police discovered five kilograms of crystal methamphetamine at an undisclosed location.
“We suspect him to have networks all over Asia, and we also suspect he has networks in Australia,” National Narcotics Agency [BNN] spokesman Sulistyo Pudjo Hartono told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“We have good co-operation with Australian police, so we will work with them too.”
Indonesia has a strong stance on illicit drugs and the death penalty remains in place for those convicted of possessing the large quantity of drugs allegedly held by Haas Sr.
There is no suggestion Broncos and NSW Origin forward Haas has any knowledge or involvement in the matter.
The last Australians to be executed in Indonesia were Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran in 2015.
Authorities in the Philippines will attempt to extradite Gregor from the city of Manila, where he is being held after his arrest in Cebu City.
Sulistyo told the SMH his agency expected “no problems” with having Haas extradited to Indonesia.
This masthead met with Gregor Haas last April in Brisbane. The 46-year-old spoke of his struggle to cope with his wife Joan, Haas’ mother, being at the centre of a high-speed car crash which killed three people on the Gold Coast.
Haas Sr visited Taufua in jail on a weekly basis, but began heading overseas last year.
“To be honest, seeing my wife in jail,” Gregor told this masthead last April.
“What can I say, mate … it’s just f***ed.”
“I’m going through all sorts of emotions.
“You go through a period of grieving, but then you move on.
“I don’t mean move on as in not being with Joan anymore, but life has to move on. The kids have to go to school. I have to work. Otherwise everything falls apart.
“The first four weeks when Joan was taken into custody were so hard.
“As a family, we have gone into our little shell in life. We have nothing to do with anyone really and it’s best that way. We have our little family unit and it’s my job to ensure the kids are safe and happy.
“I’m trying to stay as busy as I can. I do what I can to keep my mind off things.”
Broncos coach Kevin Walters lauded Haas’ strength and ability to compartmentalise his life after playing through that trauma to star in Brisbane’s 13-12 Magic Round win over Manly on Friday night.
“We’re supporting Payne in every way we can,” Walters said.
“He is a special individual.
“A lot of people don’t understand the person that Payne is.
“He is a tremendous guy, a tremendous family person and in this moment in time we will get around him in every way we can.
“That’s all we can do. Payne is such a great person of integrity, I’m sure we will help him find a way to get through this.
“He really is a strong and determined individual and what he is doing for his family even before this incident is inspirational.”
One of Haas’ best mates at the Broncos, Queensland lock Pat Carrigan, said Broncos players were rallying around him.
“Everyone knows what he can do as a player, but off the field we are like family,” he said.
“He is caring and the first one to carry the load.
“If there were more Payne Haases out there, the world would be a better place.”
It is understood the Australian Federal Police were not involved in the arrest.
On the eve of Brisbane’s round 1 clash in Las Vegas this year, Broncos prop Haas spoke of becoming the father figure in his growing family unit.
Not only is he a doting dad to his “miracle” daughter Lalita, who turns three in May, but Haas has stepped up and taken responsibility for his brothers Hans, 14, and Geejay, 12, after Gregor headed abroad.
“It means the world to me to be a father,” Haas said.
“I have my daughter in my life and I now have my two little brothers living with me.
“I have taken them under our household to live with me.
“I want to look over what they are doing in life and put them on the right path.
“I know my family has had some troubles lately in the last few years. I feel like it was best for them to come and live under my roof and let me guide them on the right path.
“Dad is overseas at the moment, so I wanted to be there for them.
“I’ve already got grey hairs growing looking after all these kids,” Haas adds with a laugh.
“It’s good. They are good boys and I love having my brothers around, they keep me on their toes.
“I have my partner there and she is the backbone of it all.
“I do love my family a lot so as long as they are good, I’m happy.”
It is understood the Australian Federal Police were not involved in the arrest.
A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) spokesman confirmed authorities were assisting Mr Haas, but could not comment on extradition matters.
“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to an Australian man arrested in the Philippines,” he said.
“Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment. ”
When an Australian is arrested or detained overseas, they are bound by local laws and Australia must work within the Consular Charter, meaning it can not provide legal advice, organise jail release or bail, pay fines, or negotiate special treatment of Mr Haas while he is detained.
Consular assistance provided to Mr Haas could include visits to prisons to monitor welfare, liaison with local authorities regarding his well-being, provision of lists of local lawyers and assistance communicating with family members or nominated contacts.
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