Before a footy trip, ex Cowboys from North Queensland Under-20 gambler Cody Jace Maughan tried to get some cocaine to share.
He was a Queensland former police officer.
More than 12 months later, Maughan must “restart his life” after pleading guilty to drug-related charges in Queensland District Court on Thursday.
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At 26, Maughan has already lost two potential careers, defense attorney Greg McGuire said.
An injury ended Maughan’s rugby league game days before drug offenses cost him his job as a police officer, the court has been told.
Maughan played for the Cowboys under-20s from 2015 to 2017 before being selected for the Queensland Police Service team due to attend the State of Origin kick-off event at Suncorp Stadium in 2021.
Maughan first caught police attention earlier this year at a nightclub in Toowoomba, where he was found with a rolled-up $50 bill and a companion in possession of cocaine.
Then, in October 2021, police searched Maughan’s home in north Brisbane and found messages on his phone suggesting offers of cocaine supply.
McGuire said there was “no indication of commercial intent in any way.”
“These were attempts to procure drugs for a football trip that turned out to be taking place in Toowoomba and Your Honor is aware of what happened there,” he said.
A box of oxycodone tablets, which Maughan had not been prescribed, was also discovered during the police raid on the Everton Hills home.
“The aggravating factor is that he was a police officer. He paid the ultimate price for that – that career has now been taken from him,” said McGuire.
“He has lost two possible careers – his rugby league career due to an injury he suffered… and he has lost his career as a police officer.
“Now…he must try to revive his life.
“The matter attracted a great deal of media attention in Townsville, not only because he was a police officer at the time, but because he was also a prominent young footballer in Townsville.”
judgment made
Maughan pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of a dangerous drug and supplying dangerous drugs.
He was fined $3,000 with no conviction.
“It appears that these offenses were committed in connection with your intent to supply drugs on a football trip you were involved in when you came to the attention of police,” Judge John Allen said.
“The hypocrisy of an acting police officer who engages in such crimes is staggering.”