Alleged text messages between Brandon Smith, Victor Radley and dealer revealed in police fact sheet; Smith to plead not guilty

Police have disclosed alleged text-message exchanges that prosecutors say tie South Sydney forward Brandon Smith to a drug dealer and to arranging a delivery for Roosters player Victor Radley during a Sunshine Coast trip in June.

Smith is due to appear at Southport Magistrates Court on Thursday and is expected to plead not guilty to charges that include supplying dangerous drugs and using or disclosing inside knowledge for betting. Radley’s name is referenced in the police summons, but police and prosecutors say there is no suggestion that Radley or any Roosters teammates on the Sunshine Coast have been charged.

According to a police statement of facts released ahead of the court appearance, Smith’s phone was seized at Gold Coast Airport on Aug. 9 as part of Operation XRAY BON, an investigation targeting cocaine supply. The fact sheet alleges Smith — who moved from the Sydney Roosters to the South Sydney Rabbitohs earlier this year — helped put Radley in contact with a dealer while Radley was on a golf trip to the Sunshine Coast in June.

The fact sheet reproduces a series of text exchanges dated May 30, June 6 and June 7. In one May 30 exchange, Radley allegedly messaged: "G tee up your cousin in Sunny Coast for me. Little short ball. Short 8 ball if you will." The document explains that "8 ball" is slang for an eighth of an ounce of powdered drugs, about 3.5 grams. Smith is reported to have replied, "Yeah sweet bro. I'll give you the contact when I get it."

Police say Smith then provided a Gold Coast number to Radley on June 6: "Just call him that's XXX from Goldie number. He's got people in sunny coast he said to call him and he will give you number," to which Radley replied, "Copy cheers lad." On June 7, messages the fact sheet attributes to Smith and the dealer include Smith texting the dealer: "Hey brother. Yeah I'll victor trying to call ya hahaa." The dealer is recorded as responding, "Yeah I'm calling my mate now." Shortly thereafter, the fact sheet records Radley and Smith exchanging messages indicating the contact had been "sorted," with Radley replying, "Yeah cheers."

Police allege the dealer had difficulty delivering the drugs after a worker failed to make the drop. The statement of facts also includes alleged exchanges between Radley and a person listed as "Dealer A," who is said to have provided GPS coordinates and then met Radley, with messages such as "10 mins off" and later, "Hilux jacked Gray." At 4:43 p.m. the dealer allegedly messaged: "F**k bro sorry about all that massive mission we are all coming down for the round 27 roosters vs rabbits." Radley replied: "All good bro you sorted us good man. Yep let me know if you need anything I'll sort it for ya."

The fact sheet notes that one of the dealers in the alleged exchanges, described in the document as Dealer A, was charged with cocaine possession on July 5. The police narrative identifies a number of phone contacts and message threads that investigators say link Smith to providing the dealer’s details to Radley.

Smith’s lawyer, Paul McGirr, said the leaking of the court document was "very concerning" and denied his client’s involvement in organising drugs in Queensland. McGirr told media that Smith was not in Queensland at the time of the alleged offences and that any arrangements were ‘‘purely done by another party, not Mr Smith.’’ He also said the charge concerning a team list — the betting-related count — referred to information the lawyer said was already public and that Smith would plead not guilty to both charges. McGirr added that a fact sheet is a narrative and not itself evidence.

Radley has not been charged in relation to the matter. The Daily Mail reported the fact sheet and said it had contacted the Roosters and the NRL for comment; police have continued to identify the matter as part of their broader supply investigation.

The matter will proceed in Southport Magistrates Court on Thursday, where the police allegations set out in the fact sheet are expected to be tested through the court process.