Former Australia Cricketer Stuart MacGill to Face Trial Over Drug Importing Charge – News18

Former Australia Test cricketer Stuart MacGill is all set to face trial for his alleged involvement in a cocaine deal, which was also associated with his kidnapping. He was arrested in September last year and was accused of voluntarily supplying a huge amount of a prohibited drug. MacGill appeared in Sydney’s Downing Center local court on Thursday and will now face trial for the accusation in the district court. The case has been adjourned for April 12 for arraignment.

Police alleged that MacGill tried to import one kg of cocaine, which was worth more than A$300,000 (NZ$327,000) in April 2021. Many others, who were responsible for MacGill’s kidnapping from his home in North Sydney, will also face trial.

MacGill had revealed that he was forcefully taken to a car and reached a property at Bringelly, where he was both threatened and attacked before he was released. The former Australia leg-spinner attracted the attention of police in April 2021, when a few armed men kidnapped him outside of his house in northern Sydney.

During an interaction with Australian radio network SEN in 2022, he admitted that he was “stripped”, “beaten up”, “threatened” and “dumped”, reported The Hindu. As per the lengthy police investigation, it was revealed that MacGill was kidnapped due to his participation in the drug deal. The police also informed that the 53-year-old was aware that he would face a charge of volunteering to supply a huge amount of a prohibited drug.

Reports suggest that MacGill got injured when he was allegedly kidnapped but didn’t need medical attention. Six people were responsible for his abduction in 2021, which included his former wife’s brother.

The New South Wales Police also released a statement about the investigation which mentioned, “In April 2021, detectives attached to State Crime Command’s Robbery & Serious Crime Squad commenced an investigation into drug supply arising out of the alleged kidnapping of a man on Sydney’s Lower North Shore in April 2021. Following extensive inquiries, about taking on Tuesday 12 September 2023, strike force detectives arrested a 52-year-old man at Chatswood Police Station, where he was charged with knowingly taking part in supplying a prohibited drug of large commercial quantity. He was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Manly Local Court on Thursday, 26 October, 2023.”

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Stuart MacGill was considered a talented bowler and had played 44 Test matches for Australia. He played for Australia between 1998 and 2008. MacGill’s career coincided with that of Shane Warne, one of the best spinners in the history of world cricket.