Willie Mason’s brother, Les, pleads guilty to supply of commercial quantity of drugs

Les Mason, former professional heavyweight boxer, and brother of former NRL player Willie Mason will be sentenced in the District Court later this month after pleading guilty to drugs supply.

Les Mason pleaded guilty to the supply of a large commercial quantity of drugs at Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday. Picture: JERAD WILLIAMS

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Les Mason, the brother of former NRL player Willie Mason, pleaded guilty to the supply of a large commercial quantity of drugs in Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday.

The former professional heavyweight boxer, who appeared via video link, will be sentenced in the District Court later this month for drugs supply. A charge for knowingly/recklessly direct criminal group to assist crime was also withdrawn.

Mason was among five men arrested in December last year, alleged to have been part of a massive Hunter drug syndicate, accused of supplying large quantities of the potentially deadly industrial solvent used to make paint thinner, Butanediol, used as a substitute to party drug GHB.

Les Mason (pictured) arrested in December 2018 during an operation in which five men were charged over an alleged drug supply syndicate across Hunter. Picture: NSW Police

Evidence seized during an operation last year in which five men were charged over alleged drug supply syndicate across Hunter. Picture: NSW Police

Evidence seized in 2018, during Hunter drug syndicate busts. Picture: NSW Police

Arrested at his Cameron Park home in December, Mason was charged with supplying 50 litres of Butanediol for the purpose of human consumption at Cameron Park on October 10, 2018.

In September, 2018, Newcastle City and Lake Macquarie detectives formed Strike Force Castlestead to investigate the activities of the alleged head of the syndicate Matthew Shane Pearce.

Police targeted the importation and supply of a large commercial quantity of drugs in the Hunter and Greater Sydney area.

Les Mason is the brother of former NRL player Willie Mason (pictured). Picture: Tim Hunter.

Superintendent Daniel Sullivan from Newcastle police warned of the ‘filthy conditions’ the drugs were manufactured in and warned people against taking drugs and urged parents to have a conversation with their children.

Also allegedly involved in the syndicate, Matthew Shane Pearce and brother Brett Robert Pearce are facing drug supply and manufacture charges, while Aaron Macey and Jay Ramsden are facing drug supply charges. All matters will be heard next month.