Former Manly Sea Eagles NRL star Brett Stewart charged with cocaine possession

Former Manly Sea Eagles player Brett Stewart has been charged with cocaine possession after being searched by police on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

The retired NRL champion was spotted by officers on March 10 on Eustace St, near Manly Wharf.

Police grew suspicious of the former Sea Eagles fullback, leading to a search of his home and the discovery of cocaine.

The 38-year-old fullback will appear before the local court of Manly on April 19.

“Just before 7pm (on March 10) officers from the Northern Beaches Police Area Command were conducting patrols in the Manly area when they spoke to a 38-year-old man,” a NSW police spokesman told police. Daily telegram.

“During a body search of the man, they would have found cocaine,” said the spokesperson.

Stewart had moved into the coaching ranks that could be jeopardized if found guilty of cocaine possession

Known as ‘The Prince of Brookvale’, Stewart made 233 appearances for the Sea Eagles between 2003 and 2016, winning two premierships and thrilling crowds with his goal-scoring prowess.

Stewart also got the nickname Snake because he has type 1 diabetes and always needs a bag of lollipops nearby.

He was also selected to play eight State of Origin games for NSW between 2007 and 2012.

After retirement, he divided his time between Sydney and Melbourne, where he opened a Japanese restaurant. In 2019, he returned to the Sea Eagles in a coaching role.

Police have not disclosed the weight of the cocaine they claim Stewart possessed, but it would have been a relatively small amount as the charges relate to less than three grams of cocaine.

If Stewart pleads not guilty, the substance will be sent for examination.