Controversial biochemist Shane Charter slapped with new drug charges
Essendon supplements scandal figure Shane Charter has been slapped with more than 70 new drug charges with the biochemist planning to fight the allegations.
Police & Courts
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Essendon supplements scandal figure Shane Charter has been hit with more than 70 fresh charges, with his lawyer revealing he planned to fight the allegations.
The controversial biochemist was last year charged with four counts of trafficking testosterone, diazepam and drugs of dependence and one count of failing to provide information to police after a Fitzroy property linked to him was raided.
At Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, it was revealed Charter was facing a further 73 charges which were filed in March and would fight them at a seven-day contested hearing after discussions with prosecutors failed to reach a deal.
The court heard the charges relate to trafficking, possession, false documents, obtaining a script from a pharmacist and fraudulent prescriptions.
No details of the allegations against Charter were aired in court and an application by the Herald Sun to access charge sheets was adjourned to his next hearing date.
A number of witnesses are expected to give evidence at Charter’s contested hearing, which was set-down for March next year, including experts, police and a health inspector.
Co-accused Melbourne doctor John Alfred Marx is also facing charges including failing to store a schedule-four poison in a lockable storage unit.
Charter was arrested in Fitzroy in September by Echo task-force investigators in what a police spokeswoman said at the time was an investigation into drug trafficking linked to outlaw motorcycle gangs.
The former body builder came to public prominence during the Essendon Football Club saga when it was revealed he had supplied supplements to sports scientist Stephen Dank for use by players.
Charter, who was previously granted bail with a $50,000 surety, will return to court in November for a special mention.
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