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NRL
Mullen almost dies from drug overdose, subject of police probe
Phil Rothfield, The Daily Telegraph
40 minutes ago
Subscriber only
He was once a $1 million-a-year State of Origin star and a household name in rugby league.
Now the life of former Newcastle Knights half Jarrod Mullen has spiralled spectacularly out of control following a drug overdose and suspicions he could be linked to a drug supply ring.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal the 31-year-old, who is serving a four-year doping ban, almost died from a drug overdose last December and is now under investigation in his hometown of Newcastle in relation to the alleged drug supply ring.
To date, he has not been charged with any offence
Detectives from strike force Castlestead have been working on his case for several months.
Ironically the former Blues Origin star almost lost his life from a drug overdose at a 40th birthday party in early December.
The host of the party, Willie Mason’s brother Les, has since been charged by police with drug supply offences, unrelated to the overdose.
Mullen was rushed to hospital in a critical condition. He survived after spending two days in intensive care.
After being discharged, the former Newcastle Knights half-back entered a rehab centre for six weeks and has since left Newcastle to live in Wollongong.
Police on Monday issued a statement regarding the investigation.
“Strike Force Castlestead was formed in September 2018 to investigate and dismantle an alleged drug supply syndicate operating across the Newcastle City and Lake Macquarie Police Districts.
“Since December 2018, 5 search warrants have been executed by Strike Force detectives and 10 people have been arrested and charged in relation to a range of matters including ‘supply a prohibited drug of large commercial quantity’ and ‘knowingly participate in criminal group’.
“Investigations by Strike Force Castlestead continue and further arrests are anticipated.”
After being made aware of his overdose in early December, the NRL helped to arrange Mullen’s treatment in a Sydney rehab centre.
In 2017 Mullen, then Newcastle’s highest-paid player, was banned for four years after testing positive to a prohibited substance.