Former Warrior and Kiwi Manu Vatuvei reveals he's the sports star facing meth charges

May 2, 2021
Rugby League - NRL Titans v Warriors  - 7/8/2016 CBus Super Stadium , Gold Coast Australia
Manu Vatuvei of the Warrioirs warms up
Photo : Jason O'Brien / Photosport

Former Warriors and Kiwis rugby league star Manu Vatuvei has outed himself as the sports star facing drug charges.

Vatuvei, who has had name suppression since he was charged with several alleged offences related to methamphetamine two years ago, posted a video on Instagram, revealing his legal battle.

“In 2019, I was charged with importation, possession and supply of methamphetamine,” he said.

“All these charges are accusations and I’ll be fighting [for] my innocence for all these charges."

Vatuvei acknowledged there would have questions but said his legal team had advised him that that was the only public comment he could make.

Last week, Vatuvei had his bid for suppression declined in the High Court, with 1 NEWS unable to name him prior to his Instagram video because of a continuing suppression that allowed him time to appeal.

Vatuvei faces three charges of importing methamphetamine, three charges of possessing for supply and one charge of supply. He first appeared in court in in November 2019.

The former Warriors and Kiwis player has given up a lengthy fight to keep his name secret.

He has previously pleaded not guilty.

After charges were laid, police said the arrests came after a joint Police and Customs operation delving into methamphetamine supply.

A search warrant was executed at a Papatoetoe address.

The maximum penalty for possessing methamphetamine for supply is a life sentence.

The dates of his alleged offending come not long after Vatuvei was formally farewelled from rugby league in July 2019.

The Warriors and Kiwi great, who was affectionately known as ‘The Beast’, scored a club-record 152 tries in 226 appearances for the Warriors.

He scored 22 tries for the Kiwis in 29 Tests.

He later turned for a time to a career in real estate after winning a season of Dancing with the Stars.

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