Why wasn’t the boxer ever charged?

Police say there was not enough evidence to criminally charge Joseph Parker and his “status and profile” did not influence the outcome of its investigation.

The champion boxer was yesterday revealed as the top sports star police and prosecutors claimed was connected to an international drug syndicate through a series of phone messages.

The Supreme Court ordered his name suppression to expire after the fighter wanted to keep his identity hidden after prosecutors named him as allegedly linked to the group in a High Court trial during 2019.

Despite not being charged, the Crown alleged Parker played a role in the importation of methamphetamine by transporting and changing currency.

The 29-year-old strenuously denies the allegations.

However, questions have been raised about the police’s investigation, with a High Court justice declaring “doubt attaches” over how thorough officers’ inquiries into the superstar were.

Yesterday, Detective Inspector Scott Beard defended the investigation involving the Auckland City Organised Crime Unit.

“While police did find evidence that this sportsperson knew all of the men who were accused and subsequently convicted, police applied the Solicitor General’s prosecution guidelines and found that there was insufficient evidence to commence a prosecution,” Beard said.

“The status and profile of this individual did not influence the outcome of the investigation.”

Beard earlier said Parker did not receive any “special treatment”. He added yesterday police carried out “a thorough investigation in a professional and fair manner” — which was reflected in the convictions and sentences imposed on five men.