Former NSW and Australian rugby league star Trent Merrin will fight charges over his alleged involvement in an illicit peptide syndicate following a police raid on a home south of Wollongong.
The premiership-winning former Dragons forward, 37, was arrested at Surry Hills Police Station at about 8am on Tuesday following an investigation led by organised crime detectives and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
He faces five counts of manufacturing goods for use in humans resulting in harm or injury, and one count of participating in a criminal group and contributing to criminal activity.
Police allege they uncovered a clandestine peptide manufacturing facility and large quantities of restricted substances at a residential property in Shell Cove in July.
Merrin’s solicitor, Paul McGirr, told News Corp that the former footballer intends to plead not guilty.
‘It’s unclear what his alleged role in the syndicate is,’ Mr McGirr said.
Former NRL star Trent Merrin has been charged over his alleged involvement in an illicit peptide manufacturing syndicate
Merrin’s solicitor says the former NSW and Australian representative intends to plead not guilty
‘From what I can read there’s nothing linking his DNA or profile to any of the peptides.’
Merrin was granted conditional bail to appear at Wollongong Local Court on November 24.
It comes after detectives from the State Crime Command’s Organised Crime Squad established Strike Force Antree in July to investigate the alleged illegal manufacture, supply and distribution of peptides, with assistance from the TGA.
Officers executed a crime scene warrant at the Shell Cove property on July 24, where police allege they discovered the manufacturing operation and restricted substances.
A 39-year-old man was arrested at Day Street Police Station on August 14.
He was charged with four counts of manufacturing goods for use in humans resulting in harm or injury. He was granted conditional bail and appeared at Downing Centre Local Court on September 30. Court records show the matter has since been finalised.
Following further inquiries, investigators arrested Merrin at Surry Hills Police Station on Tuesday.
He was granted conditional bail to appear at Wollongong Local Court on November 24.
The charges come five years after the Wollongong-born forward retired from a football career that took him from a Dragons premiership to State of Origin and the Australian Test side.
Merrin made his NRL debut for St George Illawarra in 2009 and helped the club claim the premiership the following year.
He was also part of the Dragons’ 2011 World Club Challenge-winning side and played 13 State of Origin matches for NSW between 2011 and 2015.
