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AFL legend Wayne Carey won’t face police charges over white powder saga

Police have made a decision on charges after AFL legend Wayne Carey dropped a bag of white powder from his pocket at Perth’s Crown Casino.

Crown Casino reveal

AFL legend Wayne Carey will not face police charges over a bag of powder dropped at a Perth casino.

Mr Carey was investigated after a bag fell from his pocket onto a gaming table at the Crown in Burswood last month.

The North Melbourne champion had denied being in possession of an illicit substance and claimed it was crushed up anti-inflammatory tablets to treat debilitating football injuries.

“This investigation has been finalised and no criminal charges have been preferred,” WA Police said in a statement on Thursday.

Wayne Carey will not face police charges. Photo: Michael Dodge/Getty Images.
Wayne Carey will not face police charges. Photo: Michael Dodge/Getty Images.

Mr Carey has previously indicated he was considering making a disability discrimination claim against Crown.

Crown Resorts chief executive Ciaran Carruthers said last month that Mr Carey had told staff that he was not a guest at the hotel, which turned out to be false.

Mr Carruthers also said Crown did not have the authority to seize the white powder or remove an item from somebody once it was in their possession.

Following the incident WA Police Chief Commissioner Col Blanch said that police should have been called in.

And Mr Carruthers said officers should have been called, adding that casino policy regarding notifying police had now changed.

The incident took place at Perth’s Crown casino last month. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Sharon Smith
The incident took place at Perth’s Crown casino last month. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Sharon Smith

Mr Carey was banned from Crown casinos for two years as a result of the incident.

Maurice Blackburn Lawyers said in a statement last month that Mr Carey had retained lawyer Josh Bornstein to investigate a possible disability discrimination claim against Crown Casino.

According to his lawyer, Carey is prescribed anti-inflammatories and painkilling medicine to help manage significant pain, including a shoulder that needs replacing and a neck injury that requires three discs to be replaced.

His lawyer said the dual-premiership captain was “distressed” by the casino’s actions that led to media attention and left the public to wrongly assume the bag contained an illegal drug.

Mr Carruthers denied any suggestion of “disability discrimination”.

Mr Carey was stood down from his commentary position with Channel 7 while an investigation took place.

Originally published as AFL legend Wayne Carey won’t face police charges over white powder saga

Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/breaking-news/afl-legend-wayne-carey-wont-face-police-charges-over-white-powder-saga/news-story/4565dd8d144608f4e18f254c4af9694a