‘Dial-a-drug dealer’ Michael Morgan avoids jail for dealing cocaine

Former junior rugby league player Michael Koheleti Morgan, 24, managed to avoid jail time when he was sentenced today after being caught dealing cocaine in Bondi Beach earlier this year.

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A former rugby league player who was once considered a rising star before becoming an “Uber driver for drugs” has dodged jail time.

Michael Koheleti Morgan, who trained with the Canterbury Bulldogs’ junior teams and Ireland’s World Cup squad, appeared in court on Tuesday after being caught dealing cocaine in Bondi Beach on Australia Day.

Court documents state police pulled the 24-year-old over near Hotel Ravesis and searched his car, finding 6.7 grams of cocaine, $1865 in cash and the app Wickr installed on his phone, which is regularly used by dealers.

Former footballer Michael Koheleti Morgan at an earlier court appearance. Picture: Tracey Nearmy

The court was told he was remorseful, had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and he was dealing drugs in order to fund his own addiction.

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But magistrate Greg Grogin slammed Morgan for his actions, saying he was at the “bottom rung” of a “dial-a-dealer” network when he was caught in Bondi.

“The dial-a-drug dealer is something that’s been around for a long time and Mr Morgan is one of those — he was an Uber driver for drugs and he was delivering drugs as required,” Mr Grogin said.

“Fifty-five people were arrested a week ago, so it’s (prevalent) … it (calls) for general deterrence in a big way.”

Michael Koheleti Morgan, 24, covered his face as he entered court today. Picture: Richard Dobson

Morgan keeps his face covered inside court premises, with his lawyer by his side. Picture: Richard Dobson

Mr Grogin said preparation was involved in the criminal enterprise before he was spotted selling drugs by police.

“It is planned, it is just not one of those things that happens because (there’s) an aggravating factor,” he said.

“You just sold to somebody who got into your car … police removed a roller ball from a deodorant container and there were two clear resealable bags containing cocaine.”

Morgan was sentenced to a 12-month intensive corrections order and must complete 120 hours of community service work.

Mr Grogin warned him the ICO was a prison sentence hanging over his head.

“If you breach it, it’s not up to me, it’s up to the Parole Board and you’ll probably go straight into custody,” he said.