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Rugby League Great Manu Vatuvei Pleads Guilty To The Importation Of Meth

Rugby League Great Manu Vatuvei Pleads Guilty To The Importation Of Meth

He is now facing charges which carry a maximum penalty of a life sentence.

Max Sherry

Max Sherry

Manu Vatuvei is facing life in prison after pleading guilty to the importation of methamphetamine.

The retired rugby league player recently appeared in court, facing charges which carry a maximum penalty of a life sentence.

Pleading guilty, Vatuvei was granted bail by judge Jonathan Moses, although curfew restrictions still remain in place.

Manu Vatuvei.
Instagram/@manuvatuvei

The former Warriors star was one of four people arrested back in 2019 following an investigation into methamphetamine supply in New Zealand.

At the time, Vatuvei and his accomplices were charged with importing, possessing and supplying meth, although it's understood prosecutors are intending on dropping the additional charges.

While stories of a high-profile sports star's involvement in the case continued to swirl, the 35-year-old managed to remain anonymous for over a year until he eventually came clean in early 2021.

In a video posted on his Instagram, Vatuvei said: "I just wanted to get something off my chest.

Instagram/@manuvatuvei

"It's something that has been holding me down for a while now and I'd rather you guys hear it from myself than the media

"In 2019 I was charged with importation, possession and supply of methamphetamine.

"All of these charges are accusations and I will be fighting my innocence for these charges.

"I know there will be a lot of questions and you'll want answers but I've been advised from my legal team that's all I can talk about."

Vatuvei retired from professional rugby league back in 2017 following a stint in the Super League with the Salford Red Devils.

Prior to that, he had a brilliant career in the NRL where he made 226 appearances for the Warriors and scored a whopping 152 tries.

Since hanging up the boots, he took up professional boxing, winning his one and only bout.

He even won the popular reality TV show Dancing with the Stars just before his arrest in 2019.

Vatuvei and his four co-defendants are set to be sentenced in December.

Featured Image Credit: Wikimedia Creative Commons / Instagram/ @manuvatuvei

Topics: Rugby League, nrl, Australia