Former Australian boxing world champion Jeff Fenech has been involved in a drug trafficking case in the United States.
According to US court documents revealed by The GuardianFenech, 59, unintentionally received packages containing narcotics, including cocaine and methamphetamine.
The delivery of the package was part of an alleged drug trafficking organization that operated between the United States and Australia.
No charges have been brought against the three-weight world champion, while his lawyer has stressed that he is not suspected of any criminal offence.
Fenech was named in an affidavit filed in the US District Court of California as part of charges brought against an individual named Moustapha Moustapha.
Jeff Fenech has been involved in a drug trafficking case in the United States
Australian boxing champion unintentionally received alleged package of drugs
Moustapha has been charged with possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine, and is allegedly a member of Moustapha’s DTO (drug trafficking organization).
He has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
The affidavit states that Fenech was allegedly the recipient of an unspecified number of deliveries: The deliveries consisted of “24 packages containing 24 kg of suspected cocaine and methamphetamine.”
The court document does not allege that Fenech was part of the DTO.
The affidavit adds that packages allegedly sent from the United States to Australia were intercepted by federal police in Australia in December.
A US anti-drug special agent based in Australia claims that Australian federal police subsequently carried out an undercover package delivery to Fenech’s Sydney residence.
Fenech is not accused of any criminal offense and his lawyer does anticipate charges
‘After dropping off the package at the residence, AFP observed Fenech pick it up. After witnessing Fenech pick up the package, AFP executed search warrants at the residence… and interviewed Fenech.
In the interview, Fenech allegedly stated “that he had been collecting packages for an extended period of time…Fenech stated that he believed the packages contained luxury watches and did not know they contained drugs,” according to the special agent.
The former boxer’s attorney said he is not suspected of any criminal offenses, adding that no criminal charges have been or are expected to be filed against him.