Former NRL winger Andrew Frew caught dealing meth before police uncovered drugs, cash in Sydney unit

Former Manly, Eels and Dragons winger Andrew Frew has pleaded guilty to dealing methamphetamine, with police finding an assortment of drugs and thousands in cash in his apartment.

Andrew Frew leaves Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday.

Former NRL player Andrew Frew was caught dealing methamphetamine before police found an assortment of drugs and thousands of dollars in cash inside his apartment.

The 50-year-old faced Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday after he pleaded guilty to five counts of drug supply, two counts of drug possession, two counts of dealing with the proceeds of crime and possessing a prescribed restricted substance.

Court documents reveal police established Strike Force Decatur in September last year to investigate Frew’s drug dealing.

The investigation led police to the Tramsheds complex in Forest Lodge, where Frew was recorded supplying 3.4g of meth in exchange for $500 in November.

A little more than a month later, police arrested Frew as he left a unit complex in Zetland.

Frew outside court more than a decade ago after being accused of blackmail and extortion.

During a search of a hire car Frew was using, police found a black bag, inside which they discovered clear resealable bags that contained 5.7g of cocaine and 9g of meth.

Police also found $1045, which they believed was the proceeds of crime.

During a subsequent search of Frew’s inner city apartment, on Harbour St, police located a safe in a bedroom.

Andrew Frew (with the ball) dives over for try while playing for the Northern Eagles in 2000. Picture: Trent Parke

After unlocking it with keys seized from Frew, officers located $2000 in suspected proceeds of crime.

Documents state police also found numerous clear resealable bags, containing 1.1g of cocaine, 18g of meth and 1g of heroin.

Elsewhere in the apartment, investigators found five diazepam tablets, 15 Oxycodone tablets and a further $500.

Frew’s lawyer asked the court on Wednesday for a six week adjournment, saying Frew required extra time to complete a voluntary drug and alcohol treatment program.

He told the court his client had made “some progress”.

Judge Michael Allen accepted the request and adjourned the matter for sentencing on April 30.

“You’ve taken the first valuable steps … you need to continue with the treatment directions,” Judge Allen told Frew.

He added that it was important Frew addressed his “long term, chronic addiction to drugs”.

Frew featured in 48 first grade games for the Eels, Manly, Northern Eagles and St George Illawarra.