Bulleen carpenter Blayden Meagher pleads guilty to trafficking ecstasy and cocaine

A Carey Grammar-educated international-level triathlete has been sunk for dealing ecstasy and cocaine.

Blayden Meagher pleaded guilty to trafficking ecstasy. Picture: Instagram

A former world stage triathlete busted with a massive haul of drugs including MDMA and cocaine has been jailed.

Blayden Meagher was sentenced in the County Court on Thursday to a minimum four year and six month jail term after pleading guilty to multiple charges including trafficking a large commercial quantity of MDMA.

Meagher’s major drug racket was sunk after he was pulled over by police on EastLink near Carrum Downs on November 16, 2019.

Investigators locked on to Meagher after reports he was driving erratically, the court was told.

The once-promising open swimmer, who competed at state and national level, was nabbed with 100 ecstasy tablets in a bumbag, 26 deal bags containing cocaine stashed in his waistband, scales, bute, deal bags and cash — some of which was bundled in his underwear.

The talented athlete, who once competed in the World Triathlon Championship Series, told police he picked up the drugs while on was on his way to his parents’ Blairgowrie holiday home.

Police raided Meagher’s parents’ Doncaster East home the next day but found nothing illegal.

However, Meagher’s sister informed police her brother had moved to a house in Bulleen.

Investigators raided the Manningham Rd property where they discovered an Aladdin’s Cave of drugs and cash.

Police seized 1.8kg of MDMA from an open safe in a room titled “manager’s room”, various other drugs, a box of needles and a “significant” amount of cash.

Meagher was exposed as a drug trafficker after analysis of his phone revealed photos of drugs on scales and a text message exchange “discussing the sale of drugs”.

The court was told back in July that Meagher, who had a “good upbringing”, was raised in Doncaster and the extent of his drug racket was a “shock to the family”.

Meagher attended Carey Grammar before completing his secondary schooling at Southwood Grammar formerly in Ringwood.

Meagher studied a double-degree at Deakin but later took up carpentry, the court heard.

The court was told Meagher also worked as a lifeguard.

Meagher, who received references from a former swim coach and his ex-employer, retains the support of his family and friends.

Meagher appeared at court last Friday represented by top barrister Philip Dunn QC who presented a renewed and thorough plea on his client’s behalf.

Mr Dunn told the court Meagher had been a model prisoner while on remand and looked forward to getting on with his life after he is released.

Meagher, who also pleaded guilty to trafficking cocaine, hopes to take up rowing after completing his jail stint.

Meagher, who appeared via videolink from Marngoneet, was jailed for a maximum seven years and six months.

Meagher had spent 915 days on remand.

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