A retired AFL star accused of trafficking drugs valued at $230,000 should be bailed so he can address his escalating drug addiction, his lawyer says.
Sam Fisher, 39, applied for bail in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday after he was last month charged under a joint investigation between West Australian and Victorian detectives.
Police allege Fisher organised for a parcel containing one kilogram of methylamphetamine and 84 grams of cocaine to be sent from Melbourne to Perth.
The drugs, which were allegedly concealed inside a rangehood, were seized by WA Police on April 20 this year.
WA detectives also intercepted a second parcel that day that had $129,000 inside and was bound for Melbourne.
Officers arrested Fisher on May 18 and searched his Sandringham home, seizing methylamphetamine and 1,4-Butanediol, as well as $985 in cash and three phones.
Fisher, a past All-Australian and two-time St Kilda best and fairest, admits having a drug addiction but denies the trafficking allegations, his lawyer Dermot Dann QC said.
The 39-year-old started using 30ml of GHB a day after his relationship broke down and he became increasingly isolated during the pandemic, Mr Dann told the magistrate.
It was in the best interest of the community that Fisher underwent a residential rehabilitation program to address his drug addiction, Mr Dann said.
The 39-year-old, who had no prior convictions, also still had the support of the AFL Players Association and his family, his lawyer noted.
Magistrate Bernard FitzGerald adjourned his decision on bail to next week and Fisher was remanded in custody.
