Former Australian spinner Stuart MacGill has been found guilty of involvement in a cocaine deal but was cleared of participating in large-scale drug supply. A Sydney District Court jury ruled that the 54-year-old was not guilty of facilitating a one-kilogram cocaine deal worth AUD 330,000 (approximately Rs 1.81 crore) in April 2021. However, he was convicted of taking part in drug supply.
Court Decision and MacGill’s Reaction
MacGill, who played 44 Test matches for Australia, showed little emotion when the verdict was read, according to Australian media reports. His sentence hearing has been postponed for eight weeks.
Details of the Case
The court heard that MacGill introduced his regular drug dealer to his brother-in-law, Marino Sotiropoulos, at a meeting under a restaurant in Sydney’s north shore. MacGill denied knowing about the drug deal, but prosecutors argued that the transaction could not have happened without his involvement.
MacGill’s Alleged Kidnapping Incident
In another case last year, MacGill was allegedly kidnapped. However, the accused kidnappers, two brothers named Richard and Fredrick Schaaf, claimed that MacGill willingly went with them and was involved in drug activities.
The police had earlier stated that MacGill was only a victim and had no criminal links. The two accused brothers pleaded not guilty to charges of detaining someone in company, and their trial is expected to start in mid-2025.
MacGill’s Statement on the Kidnapping
MacGill spoke about the incident on the SEN WA Breakfast Podcast with Adam Gilchrist. He described how three men forced him into a car against his will.
“Later in the day, it was getting dark, and I was bundled into a car by three men. I told them twice, ‘I’m not getting in the car,’ but they were armed. They said, ‘We know you’re not involved, we just want to talk.’ I was in the car for an hour and a half,” MacGill said.
The case has put a hold on his life, and he expressed that it was a traumatic experience. The investigation is complete, but the trial is yet to begin.
