Mikayla Noakes accused of role in drug syndicate with NRL coach pleads innocence

An Instagram influencer is accused of taking part in a cross-border drug syndicate which also allegedly involved a Gold Coast Titans assistant coach.

Mikayla Noakes, 20, has pleaded not guilty to a number of drug charges stemming from her alleged involvement in a drug syndicate.

An Instagram influencer with thousands of followers is accused of taking part in a major cross-border drug syndicate that also allegedly involved a former Gold Coast Titans coach.

Mikayla Noakes, 20, fronted Tweed Heads Local Court on Monday where she pleaded not guilty to charges of participating in a criminal group and taking part in the supply of dangerous drugs.

She was one of seven people arrested in a police blitz on Saturday, following a lengthy investigation into the supply of MDMA and cocaine on the Far North New South Wales Coast and southeast Queensland.

The blitz culminated in the arrest of former NRL star Michael Gordon, who was working as an assistant coach for the Titans. He has since been stood down.

Noakes, from Casuarina, did not speak to waiting media as she left court following her brief appearance on Monday.

Mikayla Noakes, 20, is accused of being part of a major cross-border drug syndicate between NSW and Queensland.

Her defence lawyer asked for an adjournment to January 15 next year.

The court was told Noakes had a connection with a co-accused, Tate Robinson, who has been remanded in custody to appear on the same date.

Robinson, 22, is facing a raft of drug charges related to the supply of cocaine.

Another co-accused, Jed Thomas Conroy, was adjourned to reappear on December 21.

The court was told Noakes (pictured) had a connection with one of the co-accused in the matter and would be pleading not guilty to the charges.

Noakes, who spruiks swimwear and women’s fashion to her thousands of Instagram followers, was arrested after strike force investigators executed five search warrants on properties in Casuarina and Terranora in NSW on Saturday.

Another four search warrants were executed at Robina, Burleigh Waters and Miami in the Gold Coast.

Drugs including cocaine, steroids and MDMA, more than $60,000 in cash, mobile phones and drug paraphernalia were seized.

Tweed/Byron Police District Crime Manager, Detective Chief Inspector Brendon Cullen, said the drugs seized were bound for the streets at a crucial time when Schoolies and end-of-year celebrations were occurring.

He said the police sting had “significantly disrupted” the supply chain.

Former Gold Coast Titan and NRL player Michael Gordon was released from Police Custody at Tweed Heads Police Station after being arrested earlier in the day. Photo: Scott Powick

Gordon, who had a decorated NRL career with the Penrith Panthers, Parramatta Eels, Sydney Roosters and the Titans, will appear in court on December 14 on charges of supplying and possessing prohibited drugs.

The club announced the 37-year-old had been stood down from his role as assistant coach following his arrest.

He is expected to be investigated by the NRL Integrity Unit.

The Titans released a statement confirming Gordon (pictured) had been dropped from his role as assistant coach following the charges.

Originally published as Mikayla Noakes accused of role in drug syndicate with NRL coach pleads innocence