Drugs charges against former Wests Tigers and Canterbury Bulldogs playmaker Brandon Wakeham dropped

Drugs supply charges levelled against former NRL playmaker Brandon Wakeham, who was arrested during an incident which netted police one kilogram of MDMA as part of a wider sting, have been dropped.

Wakeham was playing for feeder club Blacktown in May when he was arrested in the Brookvale Oval carpark after an eight-month investigation into the supply of illicit drugs. The former Canterbury and Wests Tigers half was charged with taking part in the supply of a prohibited drug, greater than a large commercial quantity; taking part in the supply of a prohibited drug, greater than an indictable and less than a commercial quantity; and participating in a criminal group.

All charges were dropped at a charge certification hearing at the Sydney Downing Centre courts on Tuesday.

“Throughout this process, Brandon has maintained his innocence and we fought for him with the same belief,” said his high-profile lawyer Elias Tabchouri.

“Today’s result, with the charges withdrawn and dismissed against him, is a vindication for Brandon and the fact that he never did anything wrong.

“Brandon is very happy with the result and now seek to rebuild his life, having endured a very difficult time.”

The NRL stood Wakeham down after the charges were laid under its no-fault stand-down policy.

Wakeham’s apartment was raided in May and he was subsequently granted bail in Manly Local Court. The Fijian international, who has played 40 NRL games, was allegedly in the passenger’s seat of a car during two instances of alleged drug supply, the court heard. From the outset, Tabchouri said his client didn’t “have any knowledge” of what was going on.

San Souci businessman Sam Amine, 47, and his nephew Nabil Allouche, 24, were also charged at the time.