Nowra-Bomaderry Jets: drug charges laid against current, former players
Multiple high profile players at a regional NSW rugby league club have been caught up in an extensive police investigation into an alleged cocaine supply syndicate.
The South Coast News
Don't miss out on the headlines from The South Coast News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A former NRL player is among multiple current and former players at a south coast rugby league club caught up in a significant police investigation into an alleged drug supply syndicate.
Former St George Illawarra Dragon and South Sydney Rabbitoh Dylan Farrell reinvented himself as a player and coach for the Nowra-Bomaderry Jets following his retirement from professional rugby league due to injury.
But Farrell’s footy future is now up in the air after NSW Rugby League stood him down when he was charged over his alleged involvement in a syndicate supplying cocaine and THC gummy bears on the NSW south coast.
The Illawarra Star and The South Coast News can exclusively reveal court documents pertaining to the charges against Farrell and former teammate Zachary Kershaw name several current and former Nowra-Bomaderry Jets players in relation to the alleged drug syndicate.
Some – including Farrell and Kershaw – previously played in the Nowra-Bomaderry Jets’ most highly ranked Group 7 team.
Kershaw has now pleaded guilty to supplying more than 67g of cocaine and possessing Xanax and will be sentenced at Nowra Local Court on March 22.
Farrell has pleaded not guilty to participating in a criminal group, knowingly participate in growing cannabis, prohibited drug supply, two counts of driving while suspended, hindering the discovery of evidence related to a criminal offence and obstructing police.
He will defend the charges at Nowra Local Court on May 30.
Documents tendered to the court indicate police will allege Farrell participated in a syndicate selling cocaine and THC gummy bears in March 2021 along with nine other men – including Kershaw and five other current or former Nowra-Bomaderry Jets players.
Police will further allege Farrell knowingly participated in cultivating cannabis in February 2021, and supplied a small amount of THC gummy bears in March 2021.
On July 8 when police finally swooped on Farrell in Nowra, court documents further allege Farrell destroyed his own mobile phone and obstructed a senior constable during his arrest.
Of the men named in Farrell’s court papers, Kershaw and two other alleged associates – Jesse Bligh and Chaise Sines – have been charged, along with Kershaw’s associate Jayden Emerson.
The other six men named in Farrell’s court papers have not been charged with any offences and a NSW Police spokeswoman said investigations under Strike Force Happ were continuing.
At Nowra Local Court on February 4, Farrell’s close friend Bligh pleaded guilty to supplying cocaine and cannabis vapes in the Shoalhaven region and was sentenced to a 12-month jail sentence to be served as an intensive corrections order.
Former Group 7 Jets player Sines has pleaded not guilty to one charge of indictable drug supply and will next appear at Nowra Local Court on March 7.
At the same court on January 17, Emerson – one of the few men charged with no connection to the Nowra-Bomaderry Jets – pleaded guilty to two counts of indictable drug supply after he supplied Kershaw with cocaine to sell on at a Tomerong service station.
The St Georges Basin concreter was sentenced to a two-year community corrections order with supervision and 150 hours’ community service after the court heard he had been struggling with cocaine and gambling addictions.
The Star and the News put questions to the Nowra-Bomaderry Jets about the drug supply allegations embroiling the club’s players but was yet to receive a response.
However, a NSW Rugby League spokesman confirmed Farrell and Kershaw remain stood down from their competitions.
“Dylan Farrell and Zac Kershaw were stood down last year for separate incidents that were the subject of ongoing police investigations and pending court appearances,” the spokesman said.
“The NSWRL has not been made aware of any changes to these circumstances so the players remain on stand down.”
Cross-training gym franchise F45 was also contacted in relation to Farrell’s ongoing position as their Nowra franchise owner.
Man denies running down, killing mates in joke gone wrong
A driver accused of drunkenly running down and killing his two mates in a joke gone wrong on State of Origin night has entered pleas to his charges more than a year after the deaths.
Read more
Industrial park, office and cafe approved for coastal hamlet
A massive industrial park has been approved for a NSW south coast town, with plans showcasing a warehouse, office spaces and more. Take a look at the plans.
Read more