Former Aus Test cricketer guilty in drug bust

But in another charge of commercial drug supply, the ex-Australian spinner Stuart MacGill was acquitted.

A jury  in the NSW District Court, on Thursday, found former Australian cricketer Stuart MacGill guilty of taking part in the supply of cocaine in Sydney.

The 54-year-old, who had pleaded not guilty, admitted to the use of cocaine and to introducing his partner's brother to his drug dealer, state broadcaster ABC reported.

According to reports, MacGill faced trial on a single charge of participating in the supply of a prohibited drug, over the introduction he made between his cocaine dealer and partner's brother, Marino Sotiropoulos, in  April 2021.

A group of men were arrested a month later in connection with the abduction of MacGill, who said he had been taken to an abandoned house where he was beaten and threatened with a gun. 

The introduction is said to have resulted in a $330,000 deal, ABC News reported. 

On the Crown's case, the introduction amounted to setting up a drug supply because the dealer and Mr Sotiropoulos allegedly went on to organise a $330,000 deal for 1 kilogram of cocaine.

The jury heard that while MacGill's involvement was limited to the introduction, the dealer also took part in two other alleged supplies, including one in which he handed over a vacuum-sealed bag of A4 paper instead of cash to Mr Sotiropoulos's associates.

The dealer, referred to during proceedings as 'Person A' for legal reasons, gave evidence in closed court and Crown Prosecutor Gabrielle Steedman invited jurors to accept his account, which she said was supported by other records before the court.

MacGill pleaded not guilty and his defence lawyers cast doubt on Person A's credibility, arguing his conduct was deceptive and dishonest in multiple respects.

After about seven hours of deliberations, the jury found MacGill not guilty of the charge of knowingly taking part in the supply of a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug.

But he was found guilty of an alternative charge of knowingly taking part in the supply of a prohibited drug -- without the large commercial supply element.

MacGill, who played 44 Tests for Australia, "showed little emotion" as the verdict was read, according to a reports in Australian media.

MacGill, who probably would have played more than 44 tests if he had not been a contemporary of Shane Warne, will return to court for sentencing in May.