Former Australian cricketer Stuart MacGill has been found guilty of participating in the supply of cocaine, following a jury trial in the New South Wales District Court.
The 54-year-old, who played 44 Test matches for Australia, was accused of facilitating a drug deal in April 2021 by introducing his cocaine dealer to his partner’s brother, Marino Sotiropoulos. While MacGill was cleared of knowingly participating in the supply of a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, the jury found him guilty of an alternative charge of participating in the supply of a prohibited drug.
Prosecutors argued that MacGill’s introduction led to a $330,000 deal for a specific quantity of the prohibited substance between the dealer, identified in court as “Person A,” and Sotiropoulos. The jury also heard that Person A was involved in other drug-related transactions, including an alleged $660,000 deal where a vacuum-sealed bag of A4 paper was handed over instead of cash.
MacGill, who denied the charges, told the court he was a recreational user of the prohibited substance but not an addict, spending up to $800 a week on it at times. The former cricketer insisted that his involvement was limited to the introduction and that he had no role in any further negotiations.
During the trial, MacGill described Sotiropoulos as a “wannabe” who frequently boasted about drugs. “It was almost like an episode of Narcos, it was ridiculous,” he told the court.
The case also brought renewed attention to MacGill’s alleged kidnapping in 2021, which was linked to a failed drug deal. The former leg-spinner claimed he was abducted, stripped, and assaulted by a group of men in Bringelly before being released.
MacGill is scheduled to return to court on May 9 for sentencing.
