Guards block Bomber’s bid to visit inmate

TROUBLED football great Mark “Bomber” Thompson was turned away from an immigration detention centre after trying to visit an inmate involved in drugs and sex work.

It can be revealed Thompson arrived at the Maribyrnong Immigration Detention Centre in Victoria late last year, where he was recognised by staff and visitors.

The former star player and coach was seeking to visit a foreign-born criminal who was awaiting deportation after being linked to drugs and “sex work-type activities”, according to sources.

One source said Thompson was delivering a “pink case” to the inmate, but he was turned away by security guards before he could enter. It is not clear why he was rejected.

The revelation comes after Thompson was swept up in a Victoria Police investigation into drug trafficking last week, with officers raiding his converted warehouse in Port Melbourne.

Family, friends and former teammates have raised concerns for the wellbeing of the former Essendon captain and Geelong coach.

Immigration detention is used to lock up “high-risk unlawful non-citizens” who do not have a valid visa and are awaiting deportation.

Under Australian Border Force rules, anyone who visits an immigration detention facility must go through a strict security screening process.

Thompson declined to comment on his involvement in the drug-trafficking investigation on Thursday, when he emerged from his home on a bike about 11am. Thompson was questioned by police and released without charge.