NRL Magic Round rocked by cocaine bust in corporate Suncorp Stadium suite

An NRL club has been unwittingly dragged in the crosshairs of a Queensland police investigation following a cocaine bust at a Suncorp corporate suite during Magic Round.

Crowd shot of Suncorp Stadium on the third day of NRL Magic Round, Sunday, May 19, 2024. Picture: Richard Walker

The NRL’s record-breaking Magic Round has been rocked by a drugs scandal involving a dramatic Suncorp Stadium arrest.

Sport Confidential can reveal the Canterbury Bulldogs have become unwittingly caught in the crosshairs of a Queensland police investigation following a cocaine bust in a Suncorp corporate suite last Friday night.

It is understood the person in possession of a bag of cocaine was a guest of a Bulldogs sponsor, who had outlaid $10,000 for an official NRL Magic Round corporate package.

Queensland police confirmed a 37-year-old man was arrested at Suncorp Stadium, prompting the entire corporate suite to be evicted immediately in the dying stages of the opening Canterbury-Canberra clash.

“A 37-year-old man was arrested at the NRL Magic Round on Friday, May 17, 2024 for alleged drug possession,” a police spokesperson said.

Police today said no charges had been laid.

The NRL integrity unit has been made aware of the cocaine incident.

A record 149,196 fans attended Magic Round to watch eight games of NRL action, but the opening night was marred by a drug-related drama that prompted a Queensland police raid.

It can be revealed a Canterbury sponsor, believed to be a lower-tier corporate supporter, purchased a suite on the sixth level on the eastern side of Suncorp Stadium.

Crowd shot of Suncorp Stadium on the third day of NRL Magic Round, Sunday, May 19, 2024. Picture: Richard Walker

The Bulldogs sponsor duly invited a number of guests to enjoy the Magic Round festivities, including the 37-year-old man, who is alleged to have smuggled cocaine into the Suncorp Stadium precinct.

It is understood Suncorp staffers detected suspicious behaviour in the suite, prompting a call to stadium security.

Queensland police sniffer dogs were sent in and uncovered a bag of cocaine, with officers ejecting the Canterbury sponsor and his party of guests from the suite immediately.

The Bulldogs sponsor protested his innocence with police, insisting he was not the person in possession of drugs, but officers insisted on clearing out the corporate suite.

Canterbury CEO Aaron Warburton was notified of the incident and has been in dialogue with the NRL.

There is no suggestion the Canterbury sponsor, nor the Bulldogs club, is guilty of any wrongdoing or faces any sanctions from the NRL.

“The Bulldogs have been made aware of an alleged incident involving a guest of a guest in a private suite at Magic Round,” Warburton said.

“We understand that the matter in question was referred to the Queensland police.

“It is important to note that the incident did not involve an employee or registered official.

“The Bulldogs will fully co-operate with relevant authorities should they wish to review the matter further and remind all patrons to abide by stadium policies in line with the values of our game.”

Suncorp Stadium boss Alan Graham confirmed he was aware of the matter.

“There was an incident, but I can’t comment any further as it is now in the hands of Queensland police,” he said.

Originally published as NRL Magic Round rocked by cocaine bust in corporate Suncorp Stadium suite