Kevin Proctor has voluntarily stood down as Gold Coast Titans co-captain following cocaine scandal. Source: 9 News
Kiwis rugby league stars Jesse Bromwich and Kevin Proctor have been caught allegedly buying and snorting cocaine outside a Canberra nightclub in the early hours of this morning just hours after losing the Anzac test match.
Proctor and Bromwich allegedly met local 45-year-old Adrian Crowther at Petrie Plaza outside thepopular Cube nightclub in the Australian capital city.
According to court documents obtained by the Herald, police allege that officers observed on ACT Government closed circuit television (CCTV) "what appeared to be the transaction involving illicit substances" at about 5.10am.
Crowther was allegedly seen sitting on the ledge of a garden bed when he handed two men white powder on the face of his phone.
Both Bromwich and Proctor were named in open court today by the prosecutor as being the two men, a source has told the Herald.
The athletes are then alleged to have inhaled the powder into their noses through a rolled up bank note.
Police say they found Crowther, who was allegedly wearing an All Blacks scarf, black collared shirt and black pants, a short time later.
Bromwich, who captained the Kiwis during the side's thumping 30-12 loss to the Kangaroos earlier in the night, and Proctor had left the scene before police arrived, it's claimed.
Neither New Zealander has been charged but ACT Police say they are still investigating.
When Crowther was searched by police at the scene, he denied having any illicit substances in his possession, court documents allege.
But police say they found a small clip seal bag in his wallet which contained a white powdery substance and one capsule containing a brown rocky substance.
Officers also alleged to have found a small clip seal bag containing a white powdery substance in the rear left pocket of his jeans.
Crowther was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine and possession of methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA).
When he was searched at the ACT regional watch house, an additional clip seal bag containing a white powdery substance was allegedly found in the coin pocket of his jeans by watch house staff.
Crowther made no plea when he appeared at ACT Magistrates Court this morning.
Magistrate Bernadette Boss granted him bail until his next court appearance on May 29.
The prohibited substances have been seized by police and sent for analysis.
The alleged incident has shocked the rugby league community which has been rocked by several drug allegations this week.
Today, New Zealand Rugby League released a statement, saying it has been made aware of "alleged incident involving Kiwis Captain Jesse Bromwich and teammate Kevin Proctor last night in Canberra following the Anzac Test".
"We are working with the NRL while investigations into the alleged incident are on-going and New Zealand Rugby League will not be making any comment until more information becomes available," it said.
"If the allegations are proven to be true New Zealand Rugby League will be taking action immediately."
Boss of the NZRL Alex Hayton said he found out about the allegations around the same time as news broke in the media.
He said his organisation does not have all the facts and is monitoring the situation closely.
"We are working with the NRL to understand all the circumstances and get the full facts of the situation," Hayton told Newstalk ZB's Tony Veitch.
The NRL said it had been made aware of a number of serious matters involving the alleged use of illicit substances.
"The NRL Integrity Unit will work with all the parties involved to understand the nature of the allegations and what consequences may flow under the NRL rules if the allegations are determined to be accurate," NRL CEO Todd Greenberg said.
"The game has taken steps over many years to highlight the risks associated with the use of illicit drugs.
"We will continue that work but ultimately individuals are accountable for their own choices, and the League's capacity to eliminate the use of illicit drugs by its participants faces similar challenges to that faced by society."
Statements were also released by both the Melbourne Storm, who Bromwich plays for, and Proctor's Gold Coast Titans.
"Investigations into the alleged incident are on-going and the club will not be making any comment until more information becomes available," Proctor's Titans said.
The Melbourne Storm said it "is aware of an allegation against one of its players".
"The club is currently making endeavours to speak to the player and the NRL and will provide an update when appropriate. Until that point, the club will not make further comment."
Cube nightclub Canberra. Picture / supplied
Former Kiwis captain Richie Barnett told Newstalk ZB's Tony Veitch "if it is true, it's unfathomable".
"I just cannot believe that this would even happen," he said.
"What I'm saying now is this [drug culture] rife in the sport again? I can't believe it. I'm speechless. Of course it's a brand damage after what happened last night [Kiwis lost 30-12 to Australia in Canberra]. But even more so, it goes beyond that, it's serious stuff.
"I just think players don't realise the extent of the damage that they can cause by playing with that stuff."
Entrance to Cube nightclub in Canberra. Picture / supplied
Earlier this week fellow New Zealand league star Shaun Kenny-Dowall was charged with drug possession after he was allegedly caught with just under half a gram of cocaine at a Sydney nightclub.
Police said a 29-year-old man was searched at the Ivy nightclub on George St about 1am Friday and officers allegedly found .46g of the drug in a small resealable bag.
"The man was issued with field court attendance notice for possessing prohibited drugs and he's expected to appear before the Downing Centre Local Court on June 21," a police spokeswoman told AAP.
And this morning Cronulla Sharks chairman Damian Keogh stood down from his position after he was charged with cocaine possession on Friday night.
Earlier this year former All Black star Ali Williams was nabbed trying to buy cocaine in February outside a nightclub on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, where the Rugby World Cup-winner and his family are based.
The former All Black was fined €1500 ($2300) in a Paris court after being convicted of buying the class A drug. Ex-Wallabies star James O'Connor, who was with Williams at the time, was fined for the lesser charge of possession.
Last month the Ligue Nationale de Rugby's discipline and rules commission fined Williams a further €1500 for "behaviour likely to undermine the image and the reputation of rugby". He also lost his job with high-flying club Racing 92.
