Former AFL player Sam Fisher charged with drug trafficking after major bust

Retired St Kilda defender Sam Fisher, who was too ill to appear in court, has chosen to stay in custody after being charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of drugs.

Former St Kilda footballer Sam Fisher is facing drug trafficking charges. Picture: Michael Klein.

Former AFL star Sam Fisher has been charged with trafficking large amounts of illicit drugs after a police raid.

The retired Saints defender is facing several charges after police seized drugs, including methylamphetamine, 1,4-Butanediol – a precursor drug of GHB – and a Mercedes-Benz, alleged to be the proceeds of crime.

Fisher was charged after investigators searched his Bay Rd address in Sandringham early on Wednesday.

Police allege that drugs were regularly being concealed in whitegoods and sent from Melbourne to Perth.

The investigation comes after WA Police seized a parcel containing $129,000 on April 20 en route to a Melbourne ­address.

WA Police’s drug and firearms squad intercepted another parcel that same day, which is alleged to have originated from Melbourne, that contained approximately 1kg of meth and 84g of cocaine concealed within a kitchen ­appliance.

Sam Fisher played for the Saints for a number of years.

Detective Inspector Craig Darlow of the Trident Taskforce said the bust was a “remarkable result”. “There may be a perception drugs can be easily concealed, however we have seen time and time again, the ability of police to detect and seize these substances,” he said.

“This is a warning that regardless of where you are or … how you operate, we will target those involved in the manufacture and trafficking of illicit drugs and hold them to ­account.

The investigation involved detectives from Icarus Taskforce, the Prahran divisional response unit and the WA drug and firearms squad.

Fisher was absent from court on Wednesday evening, with his lawyer Luke Karas stating he was unwell.

“Not too sure of the exact nature – tired, sleep-deprived a little bit,’’ he said.

“He advised me he would prefer to stay in custody.”

The matter was adjourned until August 10 for committal mention.

Fisher played 288 games for St Kilda from 2004 to 2016.