Ex-Origin star under investigation
After nearly dying from a drug overdose in December, former New South Wales Origin star Jarrod Mullen is now at the centre of an illicit drug supply investigation.
Mullen, 31, spent two days in intensive care in early December after overdosing on drugs at a party hosted by Willie Mason’s brother, Les.
Mason was charged in late December for drug supply offences unrelated to the Mullen overdose. The Sydney Morning Herald can reveal two current Newcastle Knights players were at the party when Mullen overdosed.
A police source has since confirmed the pair are not part of the criminal investigation. After being discharged from hospital, Mullen spent weeks in rehabilitation before moving his family from Newcastle.
That has not stopped him being part of the investigation by Strike Force Castlestead, which has already charged 10 people after carrying out five search warrants.
Mullen is yet to be charged but a statement from NSW Police indicates further arrests are imminent.
‘‘Strike Force Castlestead was formed in September 2018 to investigate and dismantle an alleged drug supply syndicate operating across the Newcastle City and Lake Macquarie Police Districts,’’ the statement reads.
‘‘Since December 2018, five search warrants have been executed by Strike Force detectives and 10 people have been arrested and charged in relation to a range of matters including ‘supply a prohibited drug of large commercial quantity’ and ‘knowingly participate in criminal group’.
‘‘Investigations by Strike Force Castlestead continue and further arrests are anticipated." Mullen is currently serving a four-year ban after testing positive for steroids in 2017.
He was alleged to have used the anabolic steroid Drostanolone in an effort to return from a hamstring injury sooner than initially planned during the 2016 season.
Once the face of the Knights on a A$1 million-per-year deal, Mullen played 211 games for the club. He also played one game at halfback for the NSW Origin team in 2007.
When his career was cut short by the positive steroid test, it is understood his mental health took a turn for the worse.
Two years ago Mullen’s mother, Leeann, said her son had been ‘‘hung out to dry’’.
‘‘He’s certainly been hung out to dry, I believe,’’ she said. ‘‘He’s been denying that there’s anything wrong for a long time, he’s putting up a brave front. We’ve all crumbled around him and he’s been the really brave one.’’
Mullen believes her son should have been afforded a second chance.
She revealed the mental toll it had taken on the former Knights playmaker.
‘‘He’s tried to be really brave for all of us,’’ Mullen said. ‘‘But I think that’s taken its toll after six months, of him pretending there’s nothing wrong.’’