Cop’s home raided after Toowoomba nightclub cocaine bust

A former North Queensland Cowboys player turned police officer faced court after a cocaine incident at a nightclub led to a raid on his home where his QPS colleagues uncovered narcotics.

Former Queensland police officer and North Queensland Cowboys Under 20s player Cody Jace Maughan leaves Brisbane arrests court for supply drugs and possessing drugs. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

A court has been told a drug bust at a Toowoomba nightclub in 2021 led to a police officer’s home being raided after he was found with a tightly rolled up $50 note in his pocket.

The former North Queensland Cowboys under-20s player, Cody Jace Maughan, was off-duty when police searched him and his friend at the club on October 1, 2021.

A Brisbane court earlier this year was told the pair came to the attention of authorities after they were seen repeatedly going into the same toilet cubicle together.

Judge William Everson said when police searched Mr Maughan’s mate, officers found cocaine and what was believed to be methamphetamine.

Following that incident, Mr Maughan’s home was raided and he was charged with possessing oxycodone and Endone, as well as allegedly supplying cocaine on two occasions.

Police officer and North Queensland Cowboys Under 20s player Cody Jace Maughan. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

Mr Maughan appealed to the court to have the evidence collected during the raid excluded from a trial, on the basis that the search warrant was incorrectly filled out.

Judge William Everson dismissed the appeal and noted the warrant was issued, “in the context of an investigation into the suspected corruption of” Mr Maughan.

“It is (asked) that I ought to exercise my discretion to therefore exclude unlawfully obtained evidence, which is in the public interest. I reject these submissions.” Judge Everson said.

“Firstly, I am satisfied that the search warrant complied with section 91 (of the Crime and Corruption Act 2001), and adequately particularised the corruption, in this case police misconduct.

“Secondly, there is a strong public interest in weeding out corrupt police, who not only fail to uphold the law, but who actively break it.

“I would not be minded to exercise my discretion in favour of (Maughan), even if there was a minor technical noncompliance with the legislative requirements in any event.”

Judge Everson said it was “uncontentious” that the warrant uncovered evidence that resulted in Maughan resigning from the Queensland Police Service after an in-house disciplinary proceeding.

Cowboys Cody Maughan - Cowboys v Sharks under 20's from 1300 Smiles Stadium Townsville. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Maughan joined the police service in 2020, and worked at Ingham and Brisbane police stations.

Before becoming an officer, Maughan played for the North Queensland Cowboys Under-20s from 2015 to 2017.
Maughan was also named in the Queensland Police Rugby League side, for one of the 2021 State of Origin games.

Mr Maughan’s matter is listed for sentencing in the Brisbane District Court on May 5, 2023.