Catchpole seeks return of seized $240,000
Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 13 Feb 2009: 8.
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Abstract
MARK Catchpole, the son of Wallabies legend Ken Catchpole, is trying to recover $240,000 seized by the NSW Crime Commission after allegations it was drug money were withdrawn.
Catchpole, 40, had earlier pleaded guilty to possessing an unlicensed and unregistered gun and the minor drug charge of possessing a small amount of cocaine and cannabis.
Police claimed the two had been supplying illicit drugs after an illegal pill press, commonly used for the production of ecstasy tablets, was found at a storage facility at Sydney’s northern beaches. Mr Catchpole claimed the press, capable of producing 27,000 tablets an hour, belonged to [Scott Miller] and his only connection to it was that he once helped his friend move it.
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MARK Catchpole, the son of Wallabies legend Ken Catchpole, is trying to recover $240,000 seized by the NSW Crime Commission after allegations it was drug money were withdrawn.
Prosecutors yesterday dropped serious charges — of supplying ecstasy and dealing in the proceeds of crime — at a hearing at Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court.
Catchpole, 40, had earlier pleaded guilty to possessing an unlicensed and unregistered gun and the minor drug charge of possessing a small amount of cocaine and cannabis.
He has acknowledged that the gun was his and he had allowed its licence to lapse. His barrister, William Barber, said his client would try to recover his money from the NSW Crime Commission, which had also frozen his bank accounts.
Mr Barber said: “He was originally portrayed as some enormous drug tsar and vilified right across Australia by police allegations.
“Those allegations have been proven to be unfounded. His life has been put on hold for the last 10 months. His professional and personal reputation have been seriously affected.
“He was under the attention of the police for over 12 months and that was the best they could come up with — a small quantity of recreational drugs and one firearms charge? We are just trying to get his money back and his bank accounts unfrozen.
“It will be almost impossible to resurrect his reputation and his business interests.”
Catchpole was arrested last April with his friend, former Olympic swimmer Scott Miller.
Police claimed the two had been supplying illicit drugs after an illegal pill press, commonly used for the production of ecstasy tablets, was found at a storage facility at Sydney’s northern beaches. Mr Catchpole claimed the press, capable of producing 27,000 tablets an hour, belonged to Miller and his only connection to it was that he once helped his friend move it.
Catchpole claimed the $240,000 was gained through legitimate means and said he could account for every cent. A spokeswoman for the commission said she could not say what would happen to the money.
Last August, prosecutors dropped a further three charges against Catchpole of supplying and possessing the drug ice and one charge of possessing ecstasy.
Powder seized by police from his home turned out to be a vitamin supplement.
Catchpole is due to appear in court on March 19 for sentencing over the remaining charges.
Credit: John Stapleton