The brother of NRL star Payne Haas has been arrested accused of trying to bring $1 million worth of the drug ice into New South Wales from Queensland.
The arrest comes as Payne Hass has reportedly signed a multi-year contract extension worth $3.6m that would make him the highest paid Brisbane Broncos player in history.
On Tuesday at about 11.45am, Zeda Hass, 19, was arrested in Beresfield, 22km north west of Newcastle.
It’s alleged he tried to bring 1.8kg of methamphetamine into NSW.
Ice, also known as crystal meth, is related to speed but is a much purer form of methamphetamine. It can be highly addictive can damage people’s health, particularly with continued use.
Kaharau Beer, 20, was also arrested alongside Zeda.
Police allegedly knew of the plan to bring the drugs in from Queensland and had replaced the ice with a different substance.
The pair were stopped on Apprentice Close, in an industrial area of Beresfield, with almost $1.1m worth of drugs were found, police said in a statement.
“Both men were arrested at the scene and taken to Maitland Police Station,” said NSW Police.
“There they were charged with traffic in commercial quantity of controlled drug, and take part supply prohibited drug – large commercial quantity.”
The two were refused bail to appear before Maitland Local Court on Wednesday.
Just months ago, Zeda survived a suspected overdose.
In May, he and three others were taken to hospital with a suspected overdose of the drug GHB.
GHB is a nervous system depressant that is sometimes known as “liquid ecstasy”. However it’s far riskier to take than ecstasy. It slows down brain activity and if too much is taken, or it’s combined with other depressants such as alcohol, it can magnify the effects and be potentially life threatening.
Zeda was said to be in a critical condition after being found unconscious at the home in Gaven, Gold Coast, owned by his parents Gregor Haas and Uiatu “Joan” Taufua.
Jeremiah Lolohea reportedly died shortly after arriving at the hospital from another location.
At the time, Gold Coast police superintendent Rhys Wildman told ABC radio that Zeda had made a full recovery.
“We believe they were at the one location before one of the males has left and went to a second location,” he said.
“Obviously this is a tragic outcome for the family (of Mr Lolohea) and obviously there’s other families involved with the other two males.”
In December, Joan Haas was involved in a crash that led to the deaths of three people.
She was charged with three counts of manslaughter, driving without a licence and drink driving.
Susan Zimmer, 70, her partner Chris Fawcett, 79, and Ms Zimmer’s daughter Steffanie, died at the scene in Bonogin, in the Gold Coast hinterland.
On Tuesday, it was reported by the Courier Mail that Payne Hass had signed a three-year contract worth $3.5m with the Broncos.
The 23-year-old prop became the most wanted man in rugby league after he announced plans to explore his options on the open market when free agency begins on November 1.
The new deal will see Haas earn up to $1.2 million per season, making him the highest paid Broncos player in the club’s 35-year history.
