Former St Kilda player Sam Fisher to stand trial over alleged interstate drug trafficking

Former AFL star Sam Fisher will stand trial over his alleged involvement in moving $230,000 worth of drugs between Melbourne and Perth.

Former AFL star Sam Fisher has been committed to stand trial over allegations he trafficked large amounts of illicit drugs between Melbourne and Perth.

The retired Saints’ defender is facing several charges, including trafficking methylamphetamine and cocaine, for his alleged involvement in a cross-border drug trafficking ring.

Fisher, 40, sat beside his lawyer as Melbourne Magistrate Michelle Hodgson on Monday committed him to the County Court after finding there was enough evidence for him to stand trial.

Sam Fisher outside Melbourne Magistrates Court in October. Picture: Rebekah Cavanagh

During the online hearing, Fisher’s lawyer Dermot Dann KC questioned detectives about their investigation which allegedly uncovered concealed drugs and cash in whitegoods sent between Melbourne and Perth.

Detective Acting Sergeant Nathan Hahn from Trident Taskforce told the court he contacted Harvey Norman in Moorabbin to confirm if items allegedly used in the drug ring were purchased by Fisher.

He said CCTV from the store also showed a person picking up a purchase who police believed was the ex-AFL star.

It’s alleged Fisher and another man based in Western Australia concealed drugs and cash in items, including one package that contained approximately 1kg of methylamphetamine and 84g of cocaine, before sending them interstate.

Sam Fisher played 288 games for St Kilda before retiring in 2016. Picture: AFL Media

Senior Sergeant Nathan Ractliffe said enquiries into Fisher’s alleged actions were a “spin off” of an investigation by Western Australian counterparts.

Sergeant Ractliffe said packaging and a rangehood underwent forensic analysis for DNA and fingerprints which returned a profile from an unidentified female.

He added most packages were already opened following a police raid in Western Australia aside from one consignment which was part of a controlled delivery.

Following Fisher’s shock arrest in May, police allegedly uncovered an array of drugs in his Sandringham home as well as a “crack pipe”.

Mr Dann previously said his client was using 30ml of GHB daily and was a regular user of methamphetamine before his arrest but he denied drug trafficking.

Fisher was using drugs daily before his arrest on serious trafficking charges Picture: 7News

He said Fisher, who played 288 games for St Kilda from 2004 to 2016, had the support of the St Kilda Football Club and the AFL Players’ Association to get on top of his drug addiction.

Fisher was granted bail in July on the condition he immediately check into a rehabilitation facility to tackle his “escalating” addiction.

When asked for his plea on Monday, Fisher said: “Not guilty, your honour.”

As part of his bail conditions, Fisher must report to a police station once a week, surrender his passport, not attend any international departure points and not leave Victoria.

He will appear in the County Court on January 25 for a directions hearing.