Ryan James: Shellharbour Sharks player stood down by NSW Rugby League over cocaine supply charge
NSW Rugby League has stood down yet another player as police continue investigating multiple past and present players at one regional NSW rugby league club in relation to alleged drug supply.
The South Coast News
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NSW Rugby League has stood down yet another player charged with drug supply as police continue investigating an alleged cocaine syndicate involving multiple past and present players at a regional NSW club.
The South Coast News exclusively revealed multiple players associated with the Nowra-Bomaderry Jets – many who played in the prestigious Group 7 competition – were under investigation over their alleged involvement with drug supply in 2021.
Former St George Illawarra and South Sydney Rabbitohs player Dylan Farrell is among those charged who has been stood down by NSWRL, along with teammate Zachary Kershaw who has since pleaded guilty to cocaine supply.
On Wednesday, NSWRL confirmed they had stood down a third player – fellow Nowra-Bomaderry Jets alum and ex-Shellharbour Shark back rower Ryan James, who has been charged with supplying one gram of cocaine.
“The NSWRL has today stood down Group 7 player Ryan James indefinitely after he appeared in Nowra Local Court on March 14 on drug supply charges,” a NSWRL spokesman said.
“The NSWRL considers the matter serious but will not make any further comment until the judicial process has concluded.
“James has been issued with a NSWRL Code of Conduct breach notice which prevents him from playing rugby league until the matter is heard.”
James has pleaded not guilty to the single charge and will defend the matter at a hearing at Nowra Local Court in October.
The South Coast News previously revealed James was among multiple current and former Nowra Bomaderry Jets players involved in the supply of cocaine in papers tendered to the court for Farrell’s criminal proceedings.
Farrell was charged with 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.
Farrell pleaded guilty to participating in the cultivation of cannabis and supplying a small quantity of THC gummy bears.
The remaining charges were withdrawn by police.
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.
Three other men accused in the same investigation – one of whom is also a former Group 7 player – have also been charged.
Farrell’s close friend Jesse Bligh pleaded guilty to supplying cocaine and cannabis vapes in the Shoalhaven region and was sentenced to a 12-month intensive corrections order.
Former Group 7 Jets player Chaise Sines has pleaded not guilty to one charge of indictable drug supply and remains before the court.
St Georges Basin concreter Jayden Emerson was sentenced to a two-year community corrections order and ordered to complete 150 hours of community service after he pleaded guilty to two counts of indictable drug supply as Kershaw’s upline drug supplier.
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