NRL: Brandon Smith quizzed by police at airport over person linked to drug probe

South Sydney Rabbitohs and Kiwis hooker Brandon Smith. Photo / Getty Images

Kiwis and South Sydney Rabbitohs hooker Brandon Smith was questioned by police at a Queensland airport about an individual known to him who is part of a drugs investigation, new details have revealed.

The 29-year-old was pulled aside and interviewed by waiting police when he arrived at Coolangatta Airport on Saturday afternoon with his South Sydney Rabbitohs teammates ahead of their round-23 NRL clash with the Gold Coast Titans.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, officers were following lines of inquiry regarding an investigation into the supply of drugs and questioned Smith about a person known to him for a considerable amount of time.

Smith had previously pleaded guilty to drug offences while living in Queensland, when he was charged with two counts of supplying and possessing drugs after being found with an amount of MDMA in 2014.

No conviction was recorded, the Sydney Morning Herald said.

It’s unclear if there is a relation between the two or any suggestion of wrongdoing on his part and Smith was released without charge, going on to play as the Rabbitohs claimed a 20-18 win in his 150th NRL match.

The NRL Integrity Unit has been liaising with South Sydney over the situation and said it had been given no information that would prompt the league to act. He’s been cleared to play on Saturday against the Parramatta Eels.

In a short statement to local media, Queensland Police said they “had cause to speak to a 29-year-old male at Coolangatta Airport”.

“The male was later released without charge. Police have no further information to provide.”

After the Rabbitohs’ win, coach Wayne Bennett was quizzed about Smith and responded: “That’s an issue we’re not going to talk about.”

Smith departed the Sydney Roosters for cross-town rivals the Rabbitohs midway through the 2025 NRL season, despite still recovering from an ACL injury.

He has represented the Kiwis on 13 occasions, with his last appearance being at the Rugby League World Cup in 2022.

In 2021, while playing for the Melbourne Storm, Smith and teammates Cameron Munster and Chris Lewis were all handed a one-match ban and fined more than $50,000 after they were filmed partying with a white substance on a table in the background.