Denhem Ronald Blackburn in Maroochydore court for possessing drugs in prison

A former NRL prospect from the Sunshine Coast was being processed within a prison when he swallowed a packet of drugs and nearly choked to death.

Denhem Ronald Blackburn. Picture: Facebook

A former NRL prospect tried to conceal his plastic bag of drugs while being admitted to prison by swallowing it whole, sparking a life saving intervention by prison guards.

Denhem Ronald Blackburn of Maroochydore had been contracted with the Parramatta Eels and Gold Coast Titans in his early years before a life of drugs and crime took hold.

The 31-year-old’s most recent offence involved him swallowing a plastic bag while he was being moved at the Borallon Correctional Centre on June 29, 2021.

Police prosecutor Lee Allan said prison officers observed he was having trouble breathing and was starting to turn blue in the face.

The prison guards struck Blackburn in the back several times until the package dislodged and he spat it out.

Denhem Ronald Blackburn. Picture: Facebook

Magistrate Matthew McLaughlin said Blackburn could have “choked himself to death”, to which Blackburn responded “I almost died”.

“Good grief,” Magistrate McLaughlin said.

Senior Constable Allan said Blackburn was taken to the medical unit for assessment and a check of the package revealed several smaller packages containing about 30 yellow coloured strips believed to be subutex.

“He has no lawful reason to be in possession of that drug,” Senior Constable Allan told the court.

Defence solicitor Matthew Cooper said there was an unreasonable delay in laying the charge and said it could have been dealt with earlier when his client was sentenced in the District Court.

Mr Cooper said Blackburn was born in Penrith and had a loving family upbringing.

Denhem Ronald Blackburn. Picture: Facebook

“He was signed professional to two NRL clubs before unfortunately being introduced to drugs,” Mr Cooper said.

“He has employment history in the concreting industry and will return to that industry upon his release from custody.”

The court heard Blackburn was serving a nine-year prison sentence for drug-related charges at the time he swallowed the packet.

Blackburn pleaded guilty to possessing drugs within a prison.

Magistrate McLaughlin gave him three months’ prison wholly suspended for three years.